Joseph Frei Obituary

Joseph Frank Frei III, 82, of Security, passed away under the care of Pikes Peak Hospice Thursday, January 23, 2014.

He was born to Joseph and Martha Frei October 2, 1931 in Sioux City, Iowa. He married Helga Pauline Hengst in 1956 and they resided in Security, Colorado. She precedes him in death.

Joe served in the Army and the Navy. He was proud to have served his country as a Vietnam veteran.

In 1963, Joe started the first plumbing company in Security which later became Frei Plumbing & Heating. Behind his long beard and stoic appearance was a man with a kind heart and a stellar work ethic. He prided himself with his "If the phone rings, I'm going" attitude toward business and treating each customer fairly in his 40 years as an old school plumber. Although the company was sold in 2001, Joe considered his customers to be long-time friends, and will be missed by many.

Joe is survived by: brother, Ray (Pat) Frei, of Minnesota; son Joe (Dayna) Frei IV of Colorado Springs; stepson Rainer (Barbara) Hengst of South Carolina; stepdaughter Barbara (Coke) Waggener of Texas; grandchildren Kevin Waggener, Christina Clouse, Kenn Waggener, Robert Hengst, Kelly Dozier, Hannah Frei, Madeline Frei; great-grandchildren Sam and Nate Clouse, and Elise and Isabelle Dozier; and his longtime friend Rose Prewett. Special thanks to Jerry and Brigette Bellow for being a part of his life as well.

A graveside service will be held Friday, January 31, 2014 at 10:30am at Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.