Frederick E. Cronk, 82, Belmond, died May 14, 2023 at Iowa Specialty Hospital - Belmond. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 24 starting at 9:30 a.m. at Andrews Funeral Home. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. The family may be contacted c/o Val Jurgena, 2350 Country Club Drive, Mason City, IA 50401.
Frederick Earl, the son of Earl Thurman and Delores (Kelley) Cronk, was born in Iowa City. He attended and graduated from Belmond Community Schools.
Following graduation he was employed in maintenance at Armour Meat Packing in Mason City. Following the closure of the plant, he transferred with the company to Idaho. He eventually returned to Belmond where he was employed in maintenance for Eaton Corporation until his retirement. During his time at Eaton he continued his education through NIACC.
Fred loved to go fast, and his passion for speed burned brightly. He raced overseas on the Ice Motorcycle Racing Circuit, loved racing drag motorcycles and nearly anything else that had a motor and wheels. He might be referred to as a daredevil. He also loved spending time in nature and the outdoors hunting and fishing. Fred loved animals and was especially fond of dogs. He raised Great Danes and dachshunds, and had trained championship caliber hunting dogs.
Fred liked to dine out and was especially fond of Mexican food, washing it all down with ice cream, his favorite being vanilla with chocolate and caramel, but no nuts! Fred loved to spoil his grandson Kayden, not just acquiring one Transformer toy for him, but the entire collection. Fred also appreciated his years with Yvonne. A favorite past time of the two included bicycling and boating in Minnesota.
He had been a resident of the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond for about eight years where he looked forward to visits from family and friends, especially an afternoon riding in a bright yellow Corvette convertible when grandson Mitchell would pick him up at the care center.
He was preceeded in death by his parents and infant sister Vonnie.
Fred’s memory will continue in the lives of his son Brad Cronk of Solon; daughter Val (Korey) Jurgena of Mason City; daughter Kelly Pierce of St. Louis, MO; son Asa Cronk of Idaho; and Michael of Mason City; sister Dee (Alan) Laird of Marion; brother Allen (Eide) Cronk of Des Moines; and his known grandchildren Matthew (Kristine) Jurgena of Lake Mills, and Mitchell, Mariah and Kayden Jurgena of Mason City.