Frederick F. “Fred” Whaley

NORFOLK — Funeral services for Frederick F. “Fred” Whaley, 89, Norfolk, were Oct. 6, at the Stonacek Funeral Chapel, Norfolk. Graveside service were Saturday, at the Magnet City Cemetery, Magnet. Military rites were conducted by the American Legion Post #16, V.F.W Post #1644, both of Norfolk, and the United States Army Honors Guard Saturday, at the Stonacek Funeral Chapel, Norfolk. Casket bearers were Nate Whaley, Bill Anderson, Bjorn Anderson, Nick Randall, Rod Flaugh, and Matt Johnson. Honorary casket bearers were Roger Volk, Lynn Flaugh, Rollie Lorensen, Walt Whaley, and Charles Kleeb. Frederick F. “Fred” Whaley, 89, died peacefully Oct. 1, 2018, at the Countryside Home, Madison. Fred was born in Callaway Oct. 10, 1928, to Curtis and Helen Davies Whaley. During his early childhood years he lived in North Platte. At age 6, he and his two brothers left the city and went to live with his Grandma Whaley and family on the farm near Callaway. He stayed there for six years and learned many things about the farm and about his grandma’s faith. He developed a love for these things, and they would remain with him for his entire life. After these boyhood years he went to live with his parents in San Diego, and then Burbank, Calif. Fred served his country in the United States Army Oct. 2, 1946-Jan. 18, 1948. In his time in the military, he was stationed in Japan, during the U.S. occupation there and one of his duties was guarding the Imperial Palace, the home of the Japanese Emperor. After returning from the service, he lived for a short while in Los Angeles, Calif. During that time he made his choice to serve God and never looked back. Everyone who was acquainted with him knew of his love for the Gospel of Christ. In 1950, he moved to northeast Nebraska near Magnet, and worked as a farmhand for Albert Bartlett. It was at that time that he met his future wife, Dwyla Mae Bartlett. Fred and Dwyla were married Jan. 15, 1952. They were married 64 years, until Dwyla’s passing on July 15, 2016. They had four children, Cheryl, Kurtis, Kyle and Kimberly. The family farmed near Wausa for most of their married years. Their children were all raised on the farm and attended Wausa Public Schools. Son, Kyle, was taken from the family in an accident in 1973, at 11 years of age. Fred and Dwyla moved to Norfolk in 1993, where they lived until their passing. Fred touched many lives on his journey here. He was a great husband, dad and friend to so many. He always had words of encouragement for those that were in need, and he was able to draw from many of his own experiences to help others. Fred is survived by three children Cheryl (Rodger) Anderson, Princeton, Minn.; Kurt Whaley (Vicky Nickel), Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Kimberly Whaley Greely, Colo.; nine grandchildren, Bill Anderson, Bjorn Anderson, Katie Anderson, Nathan Whaley, Rachel Guevara, Rebecca Whaley, Jessi Whaley, Nick Randall and Kerri Randall; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret Baird Whaley, Florence Ore.; sister-in-law, Karolyn Kleeb, O’Neill; and sister-in-law, Lois Bartlett, Des Moines, Iowa; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dwyla; son, Kyle; his two brothers, Charles Whaley, and William “Pat” Whaley; and his parents.