Chester C. Frankenfeld, Jr., 83, passed away April 12, 2018 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas. He was born in Kirk, Colorado to Chester Charles Frankenfeld and Dovie May (Spurling) Frankenfeld on July 10, 1934. He grew up in Stratton, Colorado along many of his cousins.
Upon completion of High School, Chuck enlisted in the Navy and served during the Korean War on the USS Bataan with the duties on the Flight Crew Deck and received an Honorable Discharge. On January 26, 1957, he was united in marriage to Brenda A. Blain in Colorado Springs, Colorado. From this union they had 4 children, Bryan (Chip), Bruce, Camie and John.
Chuck Frankenfeld began a 40-year railroad career working on the Chicago-Rock Island Railroad as a Brakeman and working his way up to Engineer in Goodland, KS. After the Chicago-Rock Island shut down, he continued his career by working for the Sante Fe for a short time before he hired on with the Kyle Railroad Company in Phillipsburg, KS. He spent the last 14 years working with the Kyle Railroad in Goodland and Phillipsburg.
Chuck was an active member in the Kansas Operation Life Saver Program since 1986, he belonged to the American Shortline Railroad Safety Committee since 1989, and represented the short-line industry on the Association of American Railroads Safety Committee since 1991. Chuck Frankenfeld retired June 30, 1996 as a Superintendent of Kyle Railroad and Director of Safety and Compliance for Kyle Railways. Before beginning his railroad career, he was a master carpenter.
He worked on skyscrapers in Denver and also the missile silos on the Front Range corridor in Colorado. As his family grew the first couple of years, Chuck and his father and uncles built their family home on Kansas Street in Goodland. Upon Chuck’s retirement, Chuck and Brenda returned to Goodland where he served as a County Commissioner for Sherman County from 1998 to 2003.
In 2014 they moved back to Phillipsburg. Chuck loved being involved in his children’s lives and shared his love for sports. One of his fondest memories was coaching baseball with Dan Edwards and their team achieving an undefeated season.
One of his favorite hobbies was playing golf and he shared his passion of the games with his wife and kids. Through the years many memories were made playing in different tournaments with each family member. His most memorable tournaments were the Sweet Swinger playing with his sons.
Chuck and Brenda were very active in their children’s lives, but they loved spending time together whether it was swinging around on the dance floor or traveling through the states seeking new adventures. Chuck was definitely a die-hard Bronco fan. He loved taking his wife, kids and grandkids to the game.
It was always a great memory had by all. Whether he was in the stands or at home he was dressed for the occasion in orange and blue to support the Bronco Spirit. Chuck is preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, Frank C. Blain.
Surviving family members are his wife, Brenda of 61 years; his children, Chip and his wife Jenny of Sterling, CO; Bruce of Sterling, CO; Camie Schneider and husband Randy of Phillipsburg, KS; John and his wife Stephanie of Denver, CO; Grandchildren, Mike (Melissa) Frankenfeld; Dustin (Amber) Frankenfeld, Kamie (Damien) Wagner; Chris, Matt and Emily Schneider; Jeff and Ashley Frankenfeld; Great-grand children, Taylor and Connor Frankenfeld; Charli and Morgan Frankenfeld; Krissy, Kaden. Kaylee, Korbin, and Kelton Wagner; sister-in-law, Virginia Blain; nieces, Carla Schmidt and Jeri Ann Blain; cousins, Jeff Eberhart, Jill Eberhart County, Mike O’Halloran; and Donna Frankenfeld. Memorial Service for Chuck will be Friday, April 20th, 2018, at 2:30 MST at Bateman Funeral Home, 211 East 11th Street in Goodland, with a reception to follow at the VFW.
Inurnment at the Goodland Cemetery will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer Organization, Hospice Services, Remembering Ron Schneider Cancer Memorial or the Phillips County Retirement Center. Online condolences www.
batemanfuneral.com Donations may be made to: Cure Alzheimer’s Fund 34 Washington Street, Suite 200, Wellesley Hills MA 02481 Tel: 1-781-237-3800 Web: www. curealzfund.org/ Hospice Services Inc. 424 8th Street, Phillipsburg KS 67661 Tel: 1-785-543-2900 Web: www. hospicenwks.net Remembering Ron Schneider Cancer Memorial Phillipsburg KS 67661 Phillips County Retirement Center 1300 State Street, Phillipsburg KS 67661 Web: www.
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