Delbert LeRoy Frericks, 85, of Jefferson City, MO, formerly of Frankfort, SD, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 27th, at Primrose Retirement Community in Jefferson City under hospice care.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 AM on Thursday, November 12th at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Redfield, SD. Family will be present to accept condolences. A funeral service will immediately follow at 10:30 AM. Burial with military honors will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. After the committal service, lunch and fellowship will take place at the church hall.

The funeral service will be live streamed on the funeral home’s website. The link is below Delbert’s obituary in the funeral service panel. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

Delbert was born on October 1st, 1941, in Huron, SD, to Glendon T. Frericks and Mildred I. (Gilbert) Frericks. He spent his childhood on the family farm near Frankfort and began his education with 8 years at Frankfort Grade School. He graduated from Redfield High School in 1959. South Dakota State University drew him to Brookings, where he was among the first SDSU graduates with an ag journalism and animal science double major and served as editor of the Collegian newspaper.

Having been an active 10-year participant in 4-H, Delbert became a 1964 International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) delegate to Switzerland. He lived with 6 Swiss families during this stint and proudly reported on the experience. IFYE was one of his greatest passions, as he served as a leader and organizer for the program in many capacities over the years.

When he returned from his farm exchange experience, he enrolled in a Masters Meat and Animal Science program at the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1965. He soon after enlisted in the South Dakota Army National Guard in Huron. Upon his military discharge in 1972, he returned to his family roots and entered a farming partnership with his brother Boyden.

About this time the ‘sparkling’ personality of high school classmate Anona (Brown) Paschke drew his attention. On July 31st, 1976, they were married and he brought ‘Noni’ and her sons Lanny and Brad to the farm. Following the wedding Delbert and Noni embarked on a European anniversary trip to Switzerland, Germany, and Holland.

Delbert was passionate about farming, the farm youth exchange program (IFYE), his connections to SDSU, music and entertainment, frequent travel, and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Delbert and Noni made many trips abroad to visit the many friends and acquaintances that were formed from the young farmers they hosted through the IFYE program. Over the years, bus trips to enjoy the entertainment in Branson, MO prompted a retirement move to that area in 2004.

It seemed he had friends in every corner of the world. Friendships and connections came easily to Delbert, and staying in touch was extremely important to him. If he was in a new place for 10 minutes and saw SD plates, he was looking for the occupants so he could strike up a conversation with them.

He was active in several churches throughout his life—First Methodist Church of Frankfort, First Congregational United Church of Christ of Redfield, and First Methodist Church of Branson, MO. Service to others and giving back to many charities were hallmarks of his life.

Delbert is survived by his wife, Anona Gail (Brown) Paschke Frericks, of Jefferson City, MO; and stepchildren: Lanny (Mary Kay) Paschke of Naperville, IL and Brad (Christie) Paschke of Jefferson City, MO. He is also survived by 4 step grandchildren: Jack (Katie) Paschke of Cottage Grove, MN; Kaleigh Paschke of Denver, CO; Claire Paschke of Denver, CO; and Peyton (Will) Paschke of Leland, NC. He is also survived by sister-in-law Florence Frericks of Redfield; nephew Edward (Cathy) Frericks of Frankfort; and nieces Barbara Hillger of Lebanon, IN, and Rosemary (Greg) Dorman of Oakley, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Arthur Edward (infant death) and Boyden.