Prairie du Chien and its neighboring communities lost a long-time servant and leader when Fredric George Huebsch, Jr. passed away on Saturday, July 2nd at the age of 85.  Fred had lost his wife of nearly 58 years, Barbara, just 26 days earlier.

Fred was born in McGregor, Iowa on October 1^st, 1930.  At the age of nine he started helping out at his father’s McGregor car dealership, sweeping the floors and washing cars.  After graduating from McGregor High School he attended the University of Iowa, where he earned a degree in business.

After graduation Fred joined the US Air Force, where he served seven years as a finance officer, two years in active duty.  He described his role as helping to defend the East Coast during the Cold War/Korean War years.  In 1954 he was offered a captain’s commission in Rio de Janeiro, but turned the post down to help his dad run Huebsch Chevrolet in Prairie du Chien.  Fred’s father died of cancer six years later and Fred became the owner/operator of the family business at the age of 30.

Through the years Fred served in leadership positions with the Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, City Council, St. Feriole Island Re-use Committee, Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital Board, the Performing Arts Committee, the Fort Crawford Museum Board of Trustees, and the McGregor American Legion.  In 1979 Fred was elected Mayor of Prairie du Chien and served his term proudly.  He continued to serve on several boards at the time of his death.

Fred will be deeply missed by his three daughters, Janet (Kevin) Kluesner, Jane Page, and Jennifer (Chris) McLimans; and his five grandchildren, Karri (Ian), Cole, Ty, Jordan, and Jed.  Fred is also survived by his brother, Tony (Sue) Huebsch, sister-in-law, Diana Temte, and brothers-in-law, Don (Jane) Lee, and Jim Lee.  Fred was preceded in death by his father, Fred, Sr., his mother, Mae, his son-in-law, Mike Page, and brother-in-law, Eric Temte.

A visitation will be held Thursday, July 7th, at the Garrity Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien from 4 PM until 7 PM.  Funeral services will be Friday, July 8^th, at 10 AM at the United Methodist Church in Prairie du Chien where friends may call one hour prior to services. A private family interment will be in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in McGregor, IA.  Military honors will be accorded graveside. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the United Methodist Church, or the Crossing Rivers Health Foundation. 

Fred will long be remembered as someone who loved his Creator, his family, his many friends, his community, the Mississippi, and a sleek, new Chevrolet…

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