August 22, 1924 - October 24, 2019
Ed was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His parents immigrated from Amsterdam and met for the first time here in America. Ed always expressed gratitude to be born in the U.S.A!
He grew up in Grand Rapids and Zeeland, Michigan. Two weeks before he was to graduate he was drafted into the Army. Fortunately, the US Army allowed him to go back for his own high school graduation ceremony! Ed was a true Patriot serving in WWII in Patton’s Third Army – Mechanized Group. He was decorated with the American Theater Ribbon, 5 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and Victory Medal WWII. He fought in the D Day invasion at Normandy, battle of Northern France, battle of the Ardennes in Germany (Bulge), Battle of the Rhineland, and Central Europe including Berlin, Belgium and Holland. Ed understood and witnessed the sacrifice that freedom represents.
After serving in the Army (1943 to 1945) he pursued and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He lived in a trailer with his first wife while he went to school. He loves to tell the story about building a small crib over the bed in the trailer to accommodate his new baby girl, Charlette Elaine.
After graduation, Ed landed his first job with General Motors. He was driving a Ford at the time. Shortly after he started working there when he came out to his car it had been replaced with a GM car! Ed was integral in the Moon project, working on the project that designed the LEM assent engine. “If that engine failed – our guys would be stranded on the Moon”. Imagine his relief when it worked as designed and the Astronauts lifted off the lunar surface to return home. Ed also worked on RCA satellite design and was involved in components on the Space Shuttle program and commercial airliners.
He moved to California to work in the aerospace industry. He ending up working at HITCO and later was transferred to Parsons of California (British Petroleum) in Stockton. He enjoyed the pace of life in Stockton and remained there for his many remaining years.
In 1969, Ed met the love of his life and God’s perfect gift to him: Marilyn. Together they have two daughters and two sons: Charlette Schwepker (Peter), Susan Crosser (Ron), Scott Reinhardt (Robin) and Terry McGovern (Judy), deceased. Ed has 11 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
Although he has always loved the Lord, Ed had some wandering years in his journey. In the early 90’s, after listening to sermon after sermon at the Free Methodist Church he completely re-committed his life to the Lord. He was 70 years old! Ed was welcomed as a Gideon and ministered with Gideons for 15 years by taking the Gospel to the young people in Juvenile Hall. One of his blessings at the time was to run in to a girl who he had ministered to in Juvenile Hall. He had offered her a Gideon bible and dedicated it with the scripture Jeremiah 29:11. When they reunited, she was able to share that she had a good job and a baby boy whom she named “Jeremiah.”
Ed truly desired to make a difference for Christ and with his faithful soul-mate Marilyn by his side he intentionally impacted lives of many and especially their many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
As his memory faded his passion became making his home and yard available as a ‘ministry of place’. At Ed’s direction, many areas around the yard were designated so that people of all ages could gather to worship, teach and learn about Jesus Christ. He served for a time on the Youth Accountability Board, was on the committee for SCAMPS (Senior Citizens Are Marvelous People) and has opened his home for several Bible studies and for prayer. He was a part of the local Genealogy Group and did a very comprehensive book with stories and pictures along with the lineage of his family. On his mother’s side, her brother and his family were missionaries from Holland to China. Ed’s brother, Jim and wife, Ruth, were missionaries in Japan.
Ed is remembered for his legacy of faith and pointing those around him back to the Lord’s faithfulness.
SERVICE
A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday October 30, 2019 at Cherokee Memorial Park, located off of Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA, 95240.
In lieu of flowers please give to Sakae Bible Church, Japan.
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Frens family.
