Fred H. Nolle, age 81, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Monday, January 31, 2011 at 6:23 p.m. at Manor Care Nursing Facility in Springfield, MO.
He was born March 23, 1929, in St. Charles, Missouri to Hugo and Sophie (Kohrs) Nolle. He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, serving in various congregations in many capacities, including elder, usher, president of the congregation, and member of the Boards of Evangelism and Stewardship. As a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Springfield, he led an energetic exploration of the scriptures in an Adult Bible Study class, which he loved.
Fred was in the vacuum cleaner business for 60 years and owned and operated Fred’s Vacuum Cleaner Hospital, under the slogan, “If it’s not red, it’s not Fred’s.” He was also a past president of the Ozark Empire Kiwanis Club, and was involved with their apple sales for many years, providing shoes for kids. Fred was also a past president of the Northside Betterment Association, where he assisted in the raising of funds to purchase the Hippo Pool for the Dickerson Park Zoo.
Fred is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty (with whom he enjoyed traveling the world via cruises); two daughters, Julie Allen and her husband Dr. Larry Allen, and Dr. Jean Moore and her husband, Father Andrew Moore, all of Springfield, five grandchildren: Luke Allen, Zoe Allen, Natalie Moore, Jonah Moore, and Sam Moore. He is also survived by his two sisters, Annette Ehlmann, St. Charles, Missouri and Dorothy Hesskamp, Birmingham, Michigan and by nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Hubert Nolle.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2011, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Springfield, with the Rev. William Marler officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday also at Trinity. Burial will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Services have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield, MO. Online condolences may be made at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kyle Bruton Memorial Playground at Trinity Lutheran Church for the fence.