Jerald "Jerry" Fricken

Jerry Fricken, age 92, passed away peacefully with wife Diane at his side on November 26, 2025. Jerry was born to Hannah (nee Bankson) and Frank Fricken in Sioux City, Iowa. He was raised among a large extended family, including his maternal grandparents with whom he and his parents shared a home. Jerry's loving parents taught him the value of hard work and education. He earned a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering at South Dakota State University, and joined the army reserve from which he was honorably discharged in 1965 at the rank of captain. In the late 1950's as a young engineering professional and army officer, he met Diane Ebner on a double date in Beloit. In 1959, Jerry and Diane married at Garden Homes Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, and they soon settled in Fond du Lac. Jerry was hired as a design engineer at Giddings & Lewis Machine Tool Company (G&L), and they bought a house on 17th Street, joined St. Peter's Lutheran Church, and raised two children, Sharon and Paul. Jerry's family and friends, work, church, and community were the heart of his life. At G&L he joined softball, tennis, and golf leagues, and played cribbage every day over lunch with his buddies Bruce, Steve, and Fred. For many years, he and Bruce took a summer fishing trip to Canada, and ice fished Lake Winnebago in the winter. He served on the Fond du Lac Park and Traffic Boards. He and Diane were in bridge, dominoes, and canasta clubs. He loved canoeing, and family vacations, especially family reunion tours to Sweden and Norway organized by his cousin Ben. And, most of all, he was blessed to have shared more than sixty-six years with his loving wife, Diane. Anyone who met Jerry, knows he enjoyed making conversation. He was outspoken, and despite ruffling a few feathers along the way, Jerry connected with many people throughout his life and won't soon be forgotten. May he rest in peace. VISITATION & SERVICE: The visitation will be 9:00 to 11:00 AM, Friday, December 5, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 1600 South Main Street, Fond du Lac, immediately followed by the funeral service. Entombment will take place at Rienzi Mausoleum. Many thanks to the staff of Agrace Hospice and Oak Park Assisted Living for the exceptional care and kindness shown to Jerry and the entire family.