Fred Fajen

Frederick John Louis Fajen, one of five children of Mary Catherine (Schroeder) and Frederich Wilhelm Fajen, was born on his parent's farm near Cole Camp, Missouri on July 24, 1916. Fred grew up in Cole Camp where he attended school. He worked on the family farm along with his parents and siblings until October of 1934 when he traveled to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas to work in the Conservation Corps. In March of 1936, Fred returned home to Cole Camp and the farm.

On April 5, 1942, Fred and Arline Mary Kroenke of Cole Camp were married in Higginsville, Missouri. They made their home on the family farm and in October Fred enlisted in the United States Army. Fred served in the 3709 Truck Company with the first, third, and seventh armies serving in England, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Austria. He was awarded four battle stars for the Rhineland, Central Europe, Northern France, and Normandy Campaigns, and also received the Good Conduct Medal. Fred was discharged from the Army on December 23, 1945 and returned to Cole Camp and the farm. In 1950, the family moved to Carson, Iowa where Fred farmed south of town. He had become acquainted with the area through his brother Herbert, who already farmed near Carson. Fred and Arline were members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Oakland, Iowa. Fred enjoyed watching baseball games, playing pitch and checkers.

Fred and Arline had been married 53 years when Arline died on November 11, 1995. Fred continued to live on the farm until his health forced him to move to the Oakland Manor Care Center in Oakland, Iowa in January of 2004. Fred died at the Oakland Manor on June 23, 2004 at the age of 87 years, 10 months, and 30 days.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, wife Arline, sister Viola Householder and brother Herbert Fajen. He is survived by his sons Larry Fajen and wife Janis of Elk Horn, IA and William Fajen and wife Carol of Carson, IA; daughters Oletta Subbert and husband Roe of North Platte, NE, Linda Perdue and husband Don of Carson, Wilma Laughlin and husband Thomas of Red Oak, IA, and Mary Lou Copenhaver and husband John of Oakland, IA; sisters Naomi Moore of Sedalia, MO and Verna Alderton of Windsor, MO; 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.