Russell Frascht

Russell Frascht, 94, of Charles City, passed away Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.

A funeral service for Russell Frascht will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City with Beth Hurt from St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery in Greene.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the funeral on Thursday.

Russell Edward Frascht was born April 3, 1930, in Floyd, Iowa to Joe and Dorothy (Dickhoff) Frascht. Russell graduated from Charles City High School in 1948. Soon after graduating, Russell met the love of his life, Sylvia Schoneman, while working at Salisbury. They were united in marriage on February 10th, 1950, and remained true to each other until Sylvia’s death on May 16, 2020. To this union were born Scott, Debra, and Craig.

Russell was a lifelong farmer. Originally selling Black Angus cattle with his dad and brothers, Jack and Kenny. Then Russell would buy his first farm north of Greene and eventually end up on his 320-acre farm west of Nashua. They lived on this farm for over 30 years with Russell switching from raising cattle and sheep to corn and soybeans. With his love of farming and his knack for business, Russell would combine these talents and serve as the President of the Greene COOP for 12 years and he would eventually serve as either a board member or President of AGRI Industries in Des Moines for more than 20 years.

Russell enjoyed many passionate hobbies, but most of all was flying. Starting in the early 50’s Russell began taking flight lessons and would soon earn his commercial pilots license and become a flight instructor. Russell would drop the ceremonial wreath during the veteran parade and flew many notable people around the area, including golfer Sam Snead. Russell had a private landing strip and enjoyed using his plane to fly to Des Moines for business or load up his grandkids and fly them to breakfast.

His other joys in life were woodworking, anything that his loving wife or family could dream up Russell could create in his workshop on the farm. Fishing was a major part of his life. Small trips to the dam in Nashua or to a Decorah trout stream, but always a great time enjoyed with his family. Finally, Russell and Sylvia spent many years “snow birding” to South Padre Island to their “little Iowa” campground.

Russell eventually retired in 2006 and built a new home in Charles City, where he and Sylvia could spend the rest of their lives enjoying time with their family and friends.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, his infant son, Craig, and his devoted wife of 70 years, Sylvia.

Russell is survived by his children: Scott (Ann) Frascht and Debra (Vic) Beine; grandchildren: James (Michele) Anderson, Luke Anderson, Nick Anderson, Seth (Hannah) Frascht, and Mary (Bill) Newgard; great-grandchildren: Thomas (Vanessa) Anderson, Aeryn Anderson, Cera Frascht, and Jenna & Allison Newgard; along with many nieces and nephews.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.