HOISINGTON – Frederick E. Ummel, 89, passed away in his home in Hoisington Dec. 12, 2014.
He was born on a farm south of Ransom, the son of Benjamin and Mary Ann Stutzman Ummel on Dec. 15, 1924.
Fred was a retired farmer and carpenter and he was a United States Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Ransom VFW Post 7972. In 1944, he married Letha Maxine Tillitson. To this union were born three children, Earl, Bill, and Betty. Letha passed away in 1977.
In 1979 he married Gertie Howser. Gertie had three sons and three daughters. She preceded him in death in 1988. In 2001, Fred married Kay Dreher, who had a son, Robert Dreher.
Fred is survived by his wife, Kay, of the home; two sons, Earl and his wife, Linda, Ransom; Bill and his wife, Alice, Ransom; a daughter, Betty Briand and her husband, Gerald, Ransom; and a sister Ruby Deiser, Ellsworth; 11 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; also, five step-children, James F. Howser, Topeka; Roger L. Howser, Edmond, Okla.; Judy Fields, Alaska; Tammy Howser, Topeka; and Robert Dreher and his wife, Marne, Hesston; 12 Howser grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.
Fred was preceded in death by his brothers, Frank, Phillip, and Rolla and six other siblings who died very young; two grandchildren, Letha Jo Ummel and Benjamin Earl Ummel; and two step-children, Glenda Hensley and Larry Howser.
Funeral service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Monday at the First Mennonite Church, Ransom with burial following in the Ransom Cemetery.
Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to the First Mennonite Church of Ransom.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Fitzgerald Funeral Home*
207 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Ness City, KS, 67560
Great Bend Tribune, Dec. 14, 2014