Mert Fricke

August 16, 1927 - June 1, 2016

CLARENCE "MERT" FRICKE, 88, of Roscoe, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at the Ogallala Community Hospital. Mert was born August 16, 1927 on a farm near Brewster, Nebraska to Fredrick and Rhoda (Amsberry) Fricke. He attended school in the Comstock area. Mert married Ema Pauline Alexander on November 10, 1945 in North Platte. He held several ranching jobs before eventually getting into well drilling with the Bureau of Reclamation. The couple lived in various places in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming until finally settling in Roscoe, Nebraska, in 1952 to raise their family. Mert had worked with Haggard Well Drilling for over 50 years, retiring in the early 1990's. Mert and Pauline spent a lot of time in the sandhills after his retirement working on the ranch. Mert enjoyed spending time in the hills, hunting and fishing. He especially loved muzzleloader hunting. He had a sharp mind, and was able to hold on to obscure details about his well drilling days even into his advanced years. In earlier days, Mert enjoyed going dancing with his wife. Mert was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline in 2011; his daughter Jennifer Fricke in 2009; daughter-in-law, Diana; grandson, Greg; great granddaughter, Ivory; 6 brothers; and 2 sisters. Survivors include his sons, Glen (Pam) of Ogallala; Charley (Deb) of Sarben, Douglas of Lewellen; Clifton (Dana) of Austin, TX; Michael (Beth) of Chappell, Lyman (Angela) of rural Paxton, Lynn and a special friend of Roscoe; daughter, Janell (Todd) Michalski of Roscoe; 21 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great-grandchildren; along with many other relatives and friends. A memorial has been established in his memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live for those unable to attend. Services will be on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 3:30pm at the Radiant Life Assembly of God in Ogallala with Pastor Duane Dunwoody officiating. Burial will be in the Paxton Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, from 1pm until 7pm at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala. Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.