Frederick Wutzke

Frederick Wutzke, West Des Moines (formerly Denison, IA) Frederick (Fred) Richard Wutzke, son of Helmuth and Ella Mae (Trinder) Wutzke, was born on October 18, 1937 in Vinton, Iowa. Fred was active in Boy Scouts, just missing the honor of Eagle Scout as he held jobs throughout High School. After graduating from Vinton High School, he attended Iowa State University until he joined the Army Reserves. After completing his mandatory active 6-month service for the Reserves, Fred moved to Denison, Iowa. He completed his 12 years in the Reserve and worked for Hyde’s Variety store as an assistant manager. While living in Denison, he met the love of his life, Bonnie Schluter. They were united in holy matrimony on June 14, 1959. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this June. They were blessed with three children. After Fred left Hyde’s, he sold life insurance. He then chose to pursue a career in sales with various carpet companies and products. It didn’t matter what he sold – he sold with passion. He spent many years on the road, selling. He loved helping people by selling them what they needed, using his gift of gab to form relationships. His successes meant trips where he could take his beloved wife on spectacular vacations. In 1990, Fred and Bonnie relocated from Denison to West Des Moines to be closer to their children. Throughout his life, Fred was active in the community and in his church. His family was a priority - he was a loving and supportive spouse and father, never missing a recital, play, program, or sports activity where he could watch his children and grandchildren. His smile and laugh would brighten the room. When he was younger, he enjoyed camping, fishing and motorcycles. He had a passion for nice cars. He loved playing cards and board games and assembling jigsaw puzzles. He never met a brain-teaser puzzle that he couldn’t solve. After a courageous battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia, Fred was peacefully called home to Jesus on March 10, 2019 while living at Bickford Assisted Living in West Des Moines, Iowa. The family would like to express sincere thanks to the staffs at Bickford and Care Initiatives Hospice. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert Wutzke, and nephew Robin Eastman. His memory will be cherished by his loving wife, Bonnie Wutzke; children Kelly (Mike) Sixta, Michael (Bonnie) Wutzke, and Penny (Larry) Benson; grandchildren Matthew and Andrew Sixta; Joshua, Caleb and Grace Wutzke; and Elizabeth and Phillip Benson; sister Marlene (Robert) Eastman; sisters-in-law Karen Wutzke and Marlene Cocks; and brother-in-law Norman (Roseanne) Schluter, along with a host of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Urbandale on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. A celebration of life will be held at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Des Moines on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 10:00 am with internment at Pleasant Ridge cemetery in Orilla, Iowa. Memorial contributions may be directed to Mount Olive Lutheran School in Des Moines.