Leo Clemens Freking

Leo Clemens Freking, age 84, of Hospers, Iowa, passed away Saturday, June 26th, 2021 in Sanborn, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hospers with Father Dan Greving officiating and Deacon Dan Goebel assisting. Burial will follow in the St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Hospers.  Graveside military honors will be conducted by Reuter Post 423 American Legion of Hospers.  Visitation with family present will be 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, there will be a K of C Rosary and a vigil prayer service at 5 p.m. all at the church.  Visitation will resume 1 hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday.  Services have been entrusted to Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen. 

Leo was born near Hospers, Iowa on October 17th, 1936 to Clem and Edna (Healy) Freking. He was raised in Hospers and attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School. In 1954 he graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Alton. He attended Loras College and then began running the family farm in 1955.

Leo served in the United States Army from 1959-1961. While in the Army, he saw and photographed much of Europe. He and Karen were able to travel back to Europe years later and got to revisit many of the same sites.

On June 3, 1972 he married the love of his life, Karen (Groepper) Freking in Remsen, Iowa. They raised their three spirited sons on the family farm near where Leo grew up. Many friends and family members will remember fun times on the farm visiting, playing cards, and babysitting “the boys.”

He was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church where he served on the church board. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and served on the Board of Directors for the Hospers Co-op Elevator.

Leo enjoyed bowling, golfing, reading, traveling, and spending time with family. He especially enjoyed grilling steaks for his family. He loved visiting with family and friends and meeting new people on the numerous vacation trips taken across America. His favorite place to be while on vacation was wherever the most beautiful view was.  

Leo is survived by Karen, his wife of 49 years; sons David Freking of Coon Rapids, MN; Tom (Amy) Freking of Council Bluffs, IA; Ron (Jessica) Freking of New Brighton MN; granddaughters Sophia, Gwyndylynn, and Lilyanna; sisters Sr. Edwardine Freking and Sr. Angeline Freking of Dubuque, IA; Catharine Portz of Sanborn, IA; Louise Auchstetter of Hospers, IA; sisters-in-law, Marlene Jungers of Hospers, IA, Jean (Roger) Bird of South Sioux City, NE, Renee Krug of Sioux City, IA, Randy (Sharon) Groepper of Le Claire, IA; many nieces, nephews, and other treasured family members.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents Clem and Edna Freking; parents-in-law Ernest and Martha Groepper; brother-in-law Bernard Portz; sister and brother-in-law Marie and Oscar Klein; brother-in-law Ed Bird; brother-in-law James Auchstetter; sister and brother-in-law Patricia and John Walker; brother-in-law Lloyd Krug; and sister-in-law Linda Groepper and brother-in-law Bernard Jungers.

Casket bearers will be Tom Jungers, Joe Jungers, Tim Portz, Jeff Krug, Steve Klein and Mark Klein.