Frederick James Linke, 93, of Colorado Springs, passed away on January 29, 2014. Fred was born on August 2, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Fred and Elizabeth (Billig) Linke. After attending high school, Fred joined the United States Coast Guard where he served as an apprentice seaman reserve and a motor machinist’s mate. While stationed in Boston, Massachusetts, he met and married the love of his life, “his kitten,” Jeanne, and they remained married for 51 years until her passing in 1994. He then married Ruth Forsberg in October of 1995.
Following discharge from the Coast Guard, Fred and Jeanne moved to a small community in Illinois where he ran a local hobby shop for a couple of years before he and his wife owned and operated a successful printing company side-by-side for nearly 40 years. After Fred and Jeanne retired they moved to Colorado Springs where they could be close to their children and grandchildren.
In his spare time, Fred enjoyed button making, volunteering and spending quality time with his family. He was known to have a green thumb and especially loved his orchids. Fred volunteered at the Fountain Valley Senior Center, Christmas Unlimited and for various churches, even driving the Senior Center bus into his 80’s. He was a Mason and member of the VFW and American Legion.
Fred is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughters: Janette (Greg) Doss and Karen Wray; grandchildren: Christy, Jess, Sean (Nicole) and Aaron (Julie). He is also survived by eight great grandchildren: Makenzie, Tanner, Zoi, Kyle, Brody, Alandra, Wayne and Jobe. He is preceded in death by his stepbrother, Ed Forsberg; his half-brother, Warren Linke and his son-in-law Charles Wray.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2014 at the Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home, 1730 E. Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Private interment will be held at a later date.