Walter Joseph Frechmann

Walter was born the youngest of 7 children to Walter Casper and Frances Hendrina Frechmann (nee Boss) in Morrison, MO on November 15, 1932.

From a very young age Walter exemplified what family and hard work meant being a self-made man. At age 4, Walter collected coal along the railroad tracks to provide heat and light for his family. At age 7, he started one of his many newspaper routes. After high school dismissal from De Andres HS, at age 14, he set pins at the bowling alley to support his family when his father was unemployed. During his high school years, he became friends with Wesley Zimmermann.

Walter joined the armed forces of the US Army in June 1950 through February 1953. He was stationed in Korea. During his tour, he became well known as the undefeated chess champion amongst his comrades. He was decorated with 4 medals - 1.) Korean Service Medal 2.) United Nations Service Medal 3.) National Defense Service Medal 4.)Good Conduct Medal. When Walter was released from active military duty and transferred to Army Reserve, he completed 8 years service under Universal Military Training and Service.

Early in 1958, Wesley Zimmermann (Marlene Zimmermann's brother) re-introduced Walter to his sister, Marlene, and Walter started courting Marlene shortly thereafter in July of 1958. In April of 1959 being the respectful young man that Walter was, he went to ask Marlene's father, Julius Zimmermann, if he could marry his daughter, Marlene. Walter and Marlene were married on November 26, 1959 on Thanksgiving Day, due to this being Walter's only day off from delivering his newspapers.

Walter and Marlene welcomed the first of their 3 children, Lynne Marie, into the world on March 26, 1961. They welcomed their second child, Lisa Marguerite, into the world on September 12, 1966. The youngest, Richard Walter, was welcomed into the world on November 6, 1974.

Walter continued to work hard to provide for his family purchasing several newspaper routes throughout the years. When he semi-retired, after selling his newspaper routes, he followed in his big brother, Albert Frechmann's, footsteps driving a Laclede cab until the early 1990's.

Walter's time off from work was always devoted to being with his family - enjoying family vacations, attending father-daughter dances and banquets along with coaching his son's baseball teams. Once his children were grown up, he enjoyed traveling with the love of his life, Marlene, to Hawaii, Spain, Monte Carlo, Italy, France and several Caribbean cruises.

Walter Frechmann will undoubtedly be remembered as a genuinely wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend. His kind, unselfish, caring, and forgiving heart will never be forgotten.

Walter Frechmann earned his well-deserved Angel Wings on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 9:50 PM - "All Souls Day". As Frank Sinatra so eloquently sang, "I did it my way".....

Walter lost his hard-fought battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), at the age of 90 after 63 years of marriage. His family wishes to extend a special thanks to the dedicated staff of Garden View Care Center at Dougherty Ferry and Pathways Hospice and Palliative Care.

He was preceded in death by his parents Walter Casper and Frances Hendrina Frechmann and 6 siblings: Raymond Frechmann, Marvin Frechmann, Marian Frechmann-Gagliano, Helen Frechmann-Jackson, Albert Frechmann and Clarence Frechmann.

He is survived by: his wife Marlene Zimmermann-Frechmann, his 3 children; Lynne Frechmann-Bajier (Dave Bajier), Lisa Frechmann and Richard Walter Frechmann (Amanda), 13 grandchildren; David, Kelly, Robert, Thomas-Walter, Alexis, Nicolas, Samuel, Hailey, Walter-Haidyn, Mattillee, Michael-Joseph, Nicole and Brix, great grandchildren; Eve, Will and Lillian, nieces; Mary Ann, Theresa, Angie and Teri, nephew; Eugene, cousin; Beverly.

A visitation for Walter will be held Monday, November 13, 2023, from 11:00 AM until time of service at 1:00 PM at Hoffmeister South County Chapel, 1515 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63125. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Should friends desire, contributions to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society appreciated. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HoffmeisterSouthCounty.com for the Frechmann family.