Eugene Fremouw

Eugene W. “Gene” Fremouw, age 92 of Faribault, MN died on Monday, June 3, 2019 at The Emeralds of Faribault.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory, 1725 Lyndale Ave. N. in Faribault, with Lyle Davies officiating.  Interment will be held at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park in Faribault with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Organization.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Eugene Willard, the son of Albert and Olive (VanVoorhis) Fremouw, was born on March 20, 1927 in Northfield, MN.  He attended Northfield High School and graduated with the class of 1945.  Following high school Gene attended college and then served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and Vietnam War.  On July 23, 1949 he was united in marriage to Donna Christie in Northfield.  Gene and Donna were stationed in Heidelberg, Germany.  While in Germany, Gene and Donna adopted two children, Dijon in 1957 and Lance in 1963.  Later they would adopt a son Robert Holt.  Gene was a War Crimes Investigator and later worked for the CIA.  He also was a top security man for Atomic Bombs, received the Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal and had nine battle scars from his service in the Navy.  During his service time he boxed in Golden Gloves and in 1949 boxed Tiger Jones before he won the World Championship.  He retired from the military in 1966 with the rank of Master Sergeant.  In retirement Gene and Donna were professional photographers.  In 1969 they purchased a studio in Wabasha, MN and lived there for 12 years until they moved to Faribault.  While in Faribault Gene worked as a recruiter for the U.S. Army and also worked various jobs including the State of Minnesota and Cabela’s.  Gene and Donna opened their home to anyone who needed a place to stay, a lifestyle that first began in Germany.  They did foster care and raised over 30 boys and one girl.  Since Gene and Donna were the only caring parents these children had, most of the boys have remained in contact with them over the years.  Donna preceded him in death on September 1, 2012.  Gene always said that he lived a good life and that his faith was an important part of his life.

He is survived by two sons, Lance M. Fremouw Sr. of Faribault and Robert (Betty) Holt of Oklahoma; by five grandchildren, LJ Fremouw, Andrew (Tressa) LaJuenesse, Adrienne Swartwoudt, Steve (Amy) Holt and Jason (Rebecca) Holt; by 11 great-grandchildren; by two brothers, Burton Fremouw of California and Alvin (Jenny) Fremouw of Wisconsin; by his sister, Doris St. Martin of Faribault and by many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter, Dijon Lehman, three brothers and four sisters.