July 11, 2018
Richard LaVerne Freshour
Richard LaVerne Freshour was born to Robert and Wilma (Landon) Freshour on February 5, 1944, in Villisca, Iowa. Richard passed away on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at Good Samaritan in Villisca.
As a child, Richard attended grade school in Villisca, Corning and the surrounding areas, graduating from the Villisca Community High School in 1962. IN 1965, during the Vietnam War, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Alaska and Hawaii prior to being sent to the frontline. He rose in rank, becoming a sergeant, earning Expert Rifle and Sharpshooter medals with the Tropic Thunder unit. He lost many friends and gained many nightmares.
Richard married Eldena Ingram in 1967. They lived in Omaha where he attended trade school for auto body work. In 1969, Carol was born. They moved to Lenox and opened Freshour’s Body Shop. Brenda followed in 1972. Richard and Eldena parted after 25 years of marriage. His career included working on cars, hauling, dirt work, deconstruction and a laundry list of other unique opportunities. His shop moved to Brooks and later Villisca and then he tinkered in Nodaway.
As a child he enjoyed reading and working on the farm. As he aged his interest turned to friends, fast cars and faster women. His philosophy on friends: “A friend will come to bail you out…but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying ‘that was fun.’” Richard could talk to anyone about almost anything and made friends everywhere he went. For just about anyone, he was willing to come rescue, do a favor or at least get them on the road. Later in life he found joy in his grandkids, seeking out unique finds (some might call it junk), barbecuing for fun and benefits, and he just kept on visiting and joking around with everyone.
Richard is survived by his daughter Carol Hermann and husband Scott with their children Garrett, Josee and Owenn of Orient; his daughter Brenda Freshour-Johnston and husband David with their children Amelia and Joseph of Grimes; his sister Gloria and Danny Gibler with sons Tim, Steve, Chris and Doug; his sister Colleen and Ralph Cole with sons Matt and Dan; and his brother Jacob “Jim” Freshour with son Branden; a caring extended family, and countless friends, designated drivers and partners in crime.
Funeral services were held Sunday, July 1, 2018 at Wolfe Funeral Home, Villisca. Interment with military honors was July 2, 2018 at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Adel, Iowa. Memorials are suggested to Villisca Library, Southwest Cruisers of Iowa, or Fish Pond at Good Samaritan Society. Wolfe Funeral Home, Villisca, provided arrangements.
