Kenneth D. Frey

Kenneth "Frenchy" Frey

Frenchy Frey, 81, Newton found relief from ALS Aug. 21 surrounded by family and Gentiva Hospice at Kansas Christian Home. Like his battle with ALS, he requested a short obituary and celebration of life.

He was born Kenneth DeWayne Frey to Cora and Mahlon Frey on Dec. 13, 1943, in Washington, Iowa at Washington County Hospital.

On July 6, 1968, he married Neva Stutzman at Wellman Mennonite Church in Wellman, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife Neva (Stutzman) of the home; one brother Dan Elias (Virginia) of El Monte, California; one son, Chad (Mary) Frey of Newton; two daughters Kenna (Kelson) Graber of Peabody and Penny (Gustavo) Dorado of Newton; and grandchildren Reid Graber, Jakob Graber, Neva Dorado, Kinnick Frey, Santi Dorado, Elizabeth Frey, Cruz Dorado, Naaman Frey, Yanna Rossiter and Thamires Guerra. Frenchy is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Cremation has occurred, and a private family burial is pending. A visitation will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Freyday, Aug. 29, at Petersen Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at First Mennonite Church of Newton, with a light meal to follow.

In lieu of flowers, honorarium donations can be made to the ALS foundation.

Frenchy never met a stranger.

Frenchy proudly served alternative service, accepting a term at a New Jersey mental hospital as he served his nation peacefully. He spent his working life as a truck driver, first for a natural gas company in Wellman, Iowa, before spending 30 years as a bulk milk truck driver serving farm families in Southeast Iowa. In 1998 he and his wife moved to Newton to be closer to his children. He worked for King Construction Company of Hesston for several years before retiring and taking a position with Harvey County Interurban. He enjoyed meeting new instant friends while driving the Interurban bus.

It was in Newton that Frenchy began to volunteer for community theater shows and writing monologues for his church. He enjoyed giving the children’s story at church. During his Iowa years he volunteered with Iowa Mennonite School as an activity bus driver and girls track coach after several years as a wrestling official and baseball umpire for Iowa high schools.

He loved baseball, enjoying trips to watch the New York Mets, Cedar Rapids Reds/Kernals, Wichita Wingnuts, Wichita Wind Surge and others.