Fred Pardee 1924-2019
Fred “Fritz” E. Pardee, 94, of Topeka, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2019.
He was born May 18, 1924, in Richland, the son of Robert Burns and Etta (Stenstrom) Pardee. He grew up on a farm 10 miles southeast of Richland in the Rock Creek area east of Twin Mounds. He was a graduate of Overbrook High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as part of the Persian Gulf Command and also in Italy.
Fritz was employed by the Topeka Fire Department for 30 years, retiring as Assistant Chief Training Officer in 1979.
He was a member and Past President of Local Union No. 83 of Topeka and member of Moose Lodge No. 555, Golden Rule Masonic Lodge No. 90 AF&AM, Philip Billard Post No. 1650 of Topeka and American Legion, Post 400 of North Topeka.
Fritz married Marilyn J. (Green) Chamberlain on July 18, 1972, in Topeka. She preceded him in death on Aug. 2, 2007.
Survivors include three children, Rick and Elaine Pardee of Topeka/Bangladesh, Ronald Pardee of Topeka and Jim and Kathy Chamberlain of Evergreen, Colo.; six grandchildren, Nikki (Kirk) Meier, Topeka, Heather (Pete) Frantz, Perkasie, Pa., Amber (Jon) Jenkins, Springfield, Mo., Courtney (Rick) Beck, Topeka, Matt Chamberlain, Crested Butte, Co., and Amanda (Tyler) Reynolds, Crested Butte, Colo.; and nine great-grandchildren, Lauren and Brogan Meier, Toby and Eli Frantz, Davis, Natalie and Renee Jenkins and Caden and Blakeley Reynolds.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert “Bob” and Gale Pardee.
Fritz enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing (especially with his close friend, Dick Crawshaw), KU basketball, Holton High School athletics, baseball, cattle ranching, spending time with his family and dancing with Marilyn.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 17 at Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 S.W. Wanamaker Rd., Topeka. Interment with military honors will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Topeka. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606; and Hope Generation, P.O. Box 493352, Redding, CA 96049; or online at www.hopegeneration.com. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.DoveTopeka.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
