George Richard Fraher

George Richard Fraher, age 63, of Watertown, South Dakota, went home to be with the Lord on October 10, 2024, surrounded by his family after a long battle with chronic kidney disease.  A Christian funeral service to celebrate George’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Pastor Brad Birtell will officiate. The memorial service will be live streamed via our website.

Visitation with the family will be held at 9:30 a.m. at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, prior to the service.

George was born on March 9, 1961, in Kankakee, Illinois, to Carol (Hansen) Fraher and was lovingly adopted by Edward Fraher. George spent most of his life in Chicago’s south suburbs and graduated from Bloom High School in 1979. Throughout his career, he earned a living through semi-truck tire sales and by founding two small trucking businesses.

His passion for life was most evident in his deep love and dedication to his wife, Carmen. They met at Jamestown College in Jamestown, ND, where George was a member of the Hall of Fame–inducted wrestling team.

George and Carmen married on July 6, 1985, and shared many happy years raising children, taking family vacations to Disney World, hosting backyard pig roasts and pool parties, coaching the Crete Bulldogs youth football teams, attending dance competitions, softball games, and enjoying Christian music concerts.

George was a devoted father who took an active role in his children’s lives and activities. He passionately supported their unique interests, never hesitating to endorse the unconventional pursuits that shaped them into who they are today. George poured his energy and resources into his children, always encouraging them and standing behind their dreams.

George had a genuine love for the Lord and a powerful testimony. He regularly read scripture, especially his favorite passages from 1 Corinthians 13. He was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chicago Heights, IL, and later St. Paul Lutheran Church in West Point, NE, where he served faithfully as an usher, elder, Sunday school teacher, VBS volunteer, and committee chair.

He had a special gift for mentoring teens and young adults, influencing hundreds of lives through coaching youth sports and teaching Sunday school. His annual Christmas letters, full of wit and wisdom, were eagerly awaited each year by many.

In 2016, George began a long and painful battle with his health, eventually losing his eyesight and mobility. Though the last years of his life were marked by physical challenges, he never lost his spunk, toughness, and sense of humor.

He will be remembered for his love of boating, especially on the Illinois River, his passion for Chicago-style pizza, and his extraordinary ability to make anyone feel welcome—offering a rare and unforgettable level of hospitality. George was either the host of the party or the life of the party, always bringing joy to others.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Carmen (Wacker) Fraher; his five children: Carly (Fraher) Buri and her husband Jacob Buri of Watertown, SD; Jacob Fraher and his wife Lauren (Roknich) Fraher of Leesburg, VA; Gabriel Fraher and his wife Shylo (Buresh) Fraher of Lincoln, NE; Carolyn (Fraher) Meiergerd and her husband Benjamin Meiergerd of Watertown, SD; and George Edward Fraher of Watertown, SD.

He is also survived by his mother, Carol (Hansen) Fraher of Vero Beach, FL; his siblings: Barbara (Fraher) Belin of St. John, IN; Edward Fraher of Vero Beach, FL; and Debra (Fraher) Vanderwarf of Dunbar, WI; and six grandchildren: Miriam, Micah, Layla, and Lorelei Fraher of Leesburg, VA; Caleb Buri of Watertown, SD; and Josie Fraher of Lincoln, NE.

George was preceded in death by his father, Edward Fraher; his brother, Larry Fraher; his grandmother, June Hansen; and his mother-in-law, Joanne Mason.

The family is comforted knowing that George is now in the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ, and they look forward to the day when they will be reunited in heaven.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Renal Compassion Fund at Faith Aid, a Christian charitable organization founded by George’s son and daughter-in-law, which among other programs, supports impoverished patients in Kenya battling kidney disease.

Donations: https://faithaid.org/donations/in-memory-of-george-fraher/

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti

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