Obit: Bobbe, Fred W. (1891-1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Bobbe, Mechelke, Hederman, Gough, Voie, Floistad

---Source: Marshfield News-Herald (3 January 1983)

Bobbe, Fred W. (2 May 1891 - 1 January 1983)

ABBOTSFORD -- Fred W. Bobbe, 91, of Abbotsford, died Saturday at St. Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, where he was admitted December 15.

Services will be Tuesday at First United Presbyterian Church, Abbotsford. The Rev. Robert Everhard will officiate and burial will be in the Abbotsford Public Cemetery. Grandsons will be pallbeareres.Visitation will be today at the Maurine Funeral Home, Abbotsford.

He was born May 2, 1891 in Ashley, North Dakota. At the age of 12 he moved to Amherst, where he attended school. He also attended Stevens Point Business College. From 1912-1915 he was employed at a feed mill in Dorchester.

He and Edna Mechelke were married June 2, 1917 in Dorchester.

He built a flour and feed store in Milan and in 1923 added implement and hardware to his business. In 1934 he moved to Abbotsford and in 1946 he and his two sons built a new implement building, known as the Bobbe Implement Co. They operated it until 1958, when they sold it to the Galvin & Co. He held the International Harvestor franchise for 35 years.

He served on the Abbotsford City Council and on the Clark County Board of Supervisors. He was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church and was a church elder for many years.

Surviving are his wife, one son, Howard of Medford; one daughter, Mrs. Norbert (Vangel) Buss of Libertyville, Illinois; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one brother, Myron of Amherst; five sisters, Mrs. Molly Hederman of Chicago, Mrs. Ada Gough and Lillian Bobbe, both of Washington, D.C., Mrs. Annie Voie of Waupaca and Mrs. Mamie Floistad of Madison.

He was predeceased by a son, Darrel on February 19, 1980, three brothers, two sisters and one grandson.

Memorials may be given in his name to the First United Presbyterian Church.