Donald Dale Fratzke

Dale Fratzke of Batavia, Illinois passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023 at the age of 93, three weeks short of his 94th birthday. He was born on a farm in Fairbank, Iowa on January 25, 1929, the son of Paul and Amanda (Hein) Fratzke. Dale graduated from Fairbank Iowa High School in 1946.

He received his 25-year member pin from Carpenter's Local 1248 of Geneva on October 10,1974 and built houses and did many remodeling jobs in the Fox Valley.

Dale was drafted into the Army in March 1951, serving during the Korean War, and received the Combat Infantryman Badge medal, the Purple Heart for wounds received, and the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars.  He was discharged with the rank of Corporal.

He was a former member of Saint John's Lutheran Church in St. Charles, and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Batavia.

Dale is survived by three sons: Frank and wife Laurel (Ropke) Fratzke, Dale "Scott" and Anne (Diehl), and Mark; brother Paul and his wife Nancy of Janesville, IA; sisters Darlene (Fratzke) Posekany of Oceola, IA, and Maxine (Fratzke) Oliverius of Pekin, IL; his grandson Michael Andrew Fratzke, Granddaughter Sara Marie Fratzke,  as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Gail Marie (Riege) Fratzke, his parents Paul & Amanda (Hein) Fratzke, his In-Laws Vilas & Franke (Albee) Riege, his brother Lawrence “Larry” Fratzke of Peoria IL, his son Steven, daughter-in-law Kathy (Diggs) Fratzke, his son James “Jim” and daughter-in-law Kim (Miller) Fratzke.

The words directly above were written by Dale himself nearly a decade ago as he made preparations for his inevitable appointment with the Lord.  He was always one to be prepared, to be ready, and to get his work done.

However, a bit more detail to his life needs to be added.

Dale was a Master Carpenter, and long time Builder and Contractor in Batavia.

If all the boards, nails, and bricks that Dale added to the City of Batavia over the years were to vanish, it would be a totally different place.  He loved the town and its residents, where he had many friends and acquaintances.  He literally did hundreds of remodeling projects, built many new homes, worked on churches, businesses and industrial renovations, built parsonages and much more in the City and throughout the surrounding towns up and down the Fox Valley.  

Dale did the original extensive interior and exterior renovations of the Depot Museum in Batavia after it’s move from the East Side to its current location, He did remodeling projects at the original Police Station, the original Fire Department, renovations of the Shopping Center in downtown Batavia for Batavia Enterprises along with many other retail and industrial buildings in town including the Batavia Dairy, renovations at the second City Hall, renovations at the original Public Library and many more.  When the Batavia Building Inspectors of the day wanted work done on their homes, they called Dale.  

He was also on the crew that did the first re-shingle job of the historic Windmill at Fabyan’s Park back in the early 1960’s – in fact after a recent facelift a few years ago a “time capsule” was found that had been left under the shingles of the Windmill with Dale’s name along with the other team members that did the original work, plus an article from that time about the work done from The Republican. 

Dale, as mentioned above, also served his Country.  And he served it with valor.  

His wounds in the Korean Conflict were received behind enemy lines where in June 1952 he and 100+ men went up Hill 191 to do battle, but only 6 returned alive.  Dale although severely wounded on that Hill still found the strength to carry another wounded soldier on his back, behind enemy lines, for miles to return to safety.  Upon his return and reporting to his commanding officer, the officer broke down in tears saying, “I’ve lost them all”.  In another incident, while under heavy enemy fire, Dale turned back to rescue another soldier who was drowning in a creek due to his heavy load, pulled him out and saved his life.  Dale never spoke about these events until very late in life, and only after being pressed.

In short, although he avoided the spotlight, Dale literally changed the face of Batavia piece by piece.  Saving the old and creating the new.  His actions in War helped to preserve this Country.  His legacy will live for many years to come.

Dale was a master craftsman, a teacher, a mentor, a long time businessman, loved his family, and enjoyed having a few Old Styles with his friends.

Visitation will be at the Moss Funeral Home in Batavia on Friday January 13 between 4 and 8pm.  There will be a brief service at Moss on Saturday at 10 am, followed by interment immediately after at East Batavia Cemetery.