TOLEDO-Freddie Gebhardt, 94, of Toledo passed away Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama. Funeral Services will be held Monday, October 13, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Rev. Dewey Grimes officiating. Interment will follow at National Cemetery in rural Vining. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services Monday at the funeral home.



Freddie was born on June 26, 1920, northeast of Toledo, Iowa, the son of Fred and Rose (Uchytil) Gebhardt. He attended rural schools growing up. Freddie served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He entered into service on March 17, 1944 at Camp Dodge in Iowa. Freddie was part of the 4th Infantry Division serving overseas for seven months in France, Germany, and Belgium. He was wounded in November of 1944 with an outfit that broke the Siegfried line and was in the Hurtgen Forest battle along the border of Germany and Belgium. Freddie was awarded a Purple Heart and a Service Ribbon with two Battle Stars. He was discharged in August of 1945. He was united in marriage to Bev See on October 6, 1945 in Toledo and they later divorced. Freddie was self-employed working in construction, custom farming, carpentry and other jobs over the years. He opened a museum and shop in Tama in the mid 1970's. In his later years, he enjoyed collecting. Freddie was a member of the V.F.W. and Toledo American Legion.

Survivors include one son, Lester Gebhardt of Toledo; one daughter, Betty Ann (Gene) Lacina of Tama; three grandchildren, JoAnn (Don) Horne, Shane (Amanda) Lacina, and Cassandra (David Griffin) Lacina-Griffin; and five great-grandchildren, Dustin, Donovan, and Dallas Horne, Carter and Kayleigh Lacina

Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Darlene Mikkelson.

A memorial fund has been established.