Frederick Alfred Stoelting was born on April 22, 1917 to Adolph Stoelting and Hertha Pauline Krieger Stoelting in the home located at Second and Fremont Street in Kiel, Wisconsin. Frederick was the third of four Stoelting children. The county visiting nurse reported that he was a "nearly perfect" baby after her examination. The family has enjoyed many laughs over the years because of this assessment. Fred grew up on the Indian Hill in Kiel. Much of his time during his childhood was spent on or in the Sheboygan River behind his house. He was an avid swimmer and an excellent ice skater. No one in his family could beat him in an ice skating race. He was confirmed in the Presbyterian Church in 1931. He graduated from Kiel High School in 1935. While in school he played the cornet in the high school and municipal band. He attended the University of Wisconsin- Madison. In 1939, he began dating Gertrude Emma Mary Maurer, whom he had known since Kindergarten. They married on March 7, 1942 in St. Peter's Reformed Church in Kiel. The marriage of Fred and Gertrude resulted in the birth of four children, John (Bonnie) Stoelting, Mary Kay (Dwight) York, David (Jeanne) Stoelting, and Ruth (Peter) Gloede. Gertrude predeceased him on November 5, 2003. Fred started working at Stoelting Brothers Company in 1939 and then at the Manitowoc ship yards during World War II. In his tenure at Stoelting Brothers Company he was actively involved in the production and customer service aspects of the business and became President in 1964 replacing his father, Adolph Stoelting. He retired from Stoelting in 1985 after more than 44 years in the business. Kiel was his home for his whole life. As a family man he spent hours with his wife and children again in and on the river. They also had a cottage on Lake Winnebago where they hosted many family gatherings and Youth Fellowship retreats. The Stoelting home in Kiel also served as the headquarters for all the neighborhood kids. He also enjoyed building things including picture frames, go carts, and wooden benches all destined for family and friends. He loved trout fishing and deer hunting with his friends at the shack near Lakewood. Many times he would take family and friends on fly-in fishing trips to Canada. It was important for Fred to give generously back to his community. He served on the 1954 Centennial Committee, the City Council, the School Board, the Kiel Savings and Loan board, the State Bank of Kiel board, the Indian Hill Board, the Kiel Library Board, and the Carroll College Parents' Advisory Board to name a few. He was an active member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ. During his church life he was President of the congregation, deacon, Elder, usher, sang in the Men's Chorus, served on the pastoral search committee, and on many occasions was called upon to work on the boiler. In 1957 he was a delegate to the Evangelical Reformed Church and the Congregational Church merger conference, hence creating the United Church of Christ. He was instrumental in the acquisition of Moon Beach Camp for the Wisconsin Conference of the UCC. His philosophy of life carried over from his parents. "A day is not for nothing" is what they believed. "Every day you wake up is a gift from God. Rejoice and be glad in it." He made the best of every day he lived. Fred had a great sense of humor. He always had a story or joke to share and took great joy in playing practical jokes. His positive attitude continued through his entire life and was an inspiration to those around him. To the very end of his time on Earth, he was "nearly perfect". Fred is survived by his four children, ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. John and Bonnie Stoelting, Jason Stoelting, Adam and Shannon Stoelting; Mary Kay and Dwight York, Eric Pearson, Sara, Mike, Emily and Paige More, Bret, Michelle, Noah and Elin Gertrude Pearson; David and Jeanne Stoelting, Paul Stoelting, Greg and Heather Isley Stoelting, Tim Stoelting; and Ruth and Peter Gloede, Lauren Gloede and Brian Gloede. Fred is further survived by two AFS exchange students who continue to be close members of the family, Maria Isabel Arbaiza de Olivares, Lima, Peru and Gul Erdinc Tasman, Istanbul, Turkey. He was preceded in death by his brother Carl Stoelting and sisters, Elfriede Kuether and Marie Lee. The family would like to thank the staff at Willowpark Residence, Hospice Advantage of Sheboygan, Dr. Hetzner and Rev. Duerwaechter for the compassion and care provided Fred and for the guidance given to the family. A funeral service will be held for Fred on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 5:00pm at St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 424 Fremont Street, Kiel. Friends may call at the church beginning at 3:30 p.m. until the time of services at 5:00pm In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for St. Peter's United Church of Christ and the Kiel Public Library. May Fred enjoy eternity with God's love and with Gertrude, his wife, in Heaven. Amen!