Gerald Roy Fricke

Gerald “Jerry” Fricke, 92, of St. Joseph went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday July 25, 2021, at his home. A celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 30, 2021 at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor Josh Bishop officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Prior to the service, friends may visit from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00A.M. at the church. Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Michigan Lutheran High School. Those wishing to share a memory may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Jerry was born April 6, 1929 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Clarence and Martha (Tomhave) Fricke. He spent his early childhood in Chicago, Illinois and later in Benton Harbor, Michigan graduating from Benton Harbor High School. Jerry attended Valparaiso University and served in the Army Corp. of Engineers during the Korean War. On May 15, 1954 he married Vera Cerecke at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Joseph. They enjoyed 34 years of loving marriage. Jerry worked for 45 years as a tool and die maker at Modern Plastics Corp. while also raising mainly apples and juice grapes on his 50 acre farm. Most of all, Jerry had a deep love for his Savior, Christian education, mission work and his family. He enjoyed Cork Puller events at Domaine Berrien Cellars, spending time with grandchildren, great grandchildren and his much loved Bernese Mountain dogs. He was a kind man to all. ...Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:57 Amen. Jerry is survived by his children; Ruth (Wayne) Zech of Berrien Springs, Susan Fricke of St. Joseph, Steve (Karyn) Fricke of St. Joseph and Carol Post of Coloma; grandchildren, Erin (Scott) Giles; Eric Zech; Elissa (Dan) Moore; Jennifer (Brad) Behnke; Ryan Post and Kyle Post; great grandchildren, Sydney Giles; Lincoln Zech; Landon Moore; Elaina Moore; Brielle Moore; Kenzi Behnke plus many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceeded in death by his parents, wife Vera, and brother Thomas Fricke.