Frederick "Fred" Ervin Mesenbrink Obituary (1922

Frederick Ervin Mesenbrink, 88, a resident of the North Plains Community died Thursday morning, June 10,2010 at the Rehabilitation and Specialty Care Center in Hillsboro. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be said at 10:00 AM on Friday , June 18, 2010 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in North Plains. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 18, 2010 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in North Plains. Rite of Christian Burial and Vault interment will take place immediately following the Funeral Mass at the St. Edward's Catholic Cemetery in North Plains. Family and friends are invited to attend a reception following the Burial rites to be held at the St. Edward's Parish Hall. Fred was born on February 15, 1922 in Milwaukie, WS. He was one of four children born to Fred and Helen (Kurth) Mesenbrink. Fred and his family lived in Milwaukie until his mother died in 1928. Fred and his sisters were placed in and orphanage in Milwaukie where he took care of his siblings, especially his little sister Marion. Fred left the orphanage when he was twelve years old and went to work on a farm for room and board as well as some pay to help pay for his siblings care. He joined the US Army in 1942 and was a paratrooper. He was honorably discharged in 1943. After the military, Fred moved to Oregon to live with his sister Ruth and help provide for their family. Fred was working on Farms in Yamhill County when he met his future wife, Agnes Juenemann at a social in Yamhill. They were soon engaged and were married August 4,1948. Following their marriage they lived in Portland, Or where Fred worked two jobs; driving truck for Coca-Cola and delivering coal. Fred was soon back to farm work in the Hillsboro area working for Walt Vanderzanden. He worked in the Yamhill/Carlton area a short time later for Emanuel Link and then Harley Belt. In 1959 the family moved to Remi Coussens dairy where Fred worked until his retirement in 1987. The family still lived on the farm and Fred worked part time but soon began a long and fruitful career as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels at the North Plains Senior Center. He also was the grounds keeper at St. Edward's Catholic Church. Fred never really had much time for hobbies but he did enjoy singing in the church choir and was a lector. He was a good dancer and an avid fan of the Mariners and Trail Blazers. He followed most sports on TV. He enjoyed helping his family with projects around their homes and yard work. He is preceded in death by his parents and three sisters: Ruth Hansen, Delores Conaty and Marion Kwosek. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Agnes, four children and their spouses; Roger and Debbie Mesenbrink of Gaston, Or, Randy and Cindy Mesenbrink of Forks, WA, Tom and Patti Mesenbrink of Roy, Or, and Leanna (Tootie) and Steve MacKenzie of Hillsboro, Or, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The family suggests donations in Fred's name to the North Plains Senior Center, Meals on Wheels.