Frederick William Wacker

Fred W. Wacker, 86, entered the gates of Heaven on February 18, 2018. Fred was born on November 6, 1931 in McPherson County, South Dakota to Fred W. Wacker, Sr. and Alma C. (Rueb) Wacker. The family moved to Rochester, Minnesota in 1933. He graduated in 1949 from Rochester High School. Fred married Betty Nell (Jones) Wacker on February 12, 1951 in Rochester, from this union came four children. Fred and Betty divorced in June 1977. Fred then married Barbara Irene (Pilant) Bjorkman in Longmont, Colorado in August 1978 and they later divorced in November 1990. Fred served in the U.S. Marine Corps from March 1952 to March 1954 serving 12 months in Korea with the First Amtracks of The First Marine Division and was discharged at the rank of Corporal. Fred then went to work in Quality Assurance for IBM in June 1956, when IBM opened a new plant in Rochester. In July 1965, Fred was transferred to IBM’s new plant in Boulder, Colorado and transferred again in 1979 to Tucson, Arizona, where he retired in August 1989 after 33 years of service with IBM. Fred moved back to Longmont, Colorado in November 2001. Fred spent many years as an adult Scouter, beginning as a committee member with Cub Pack 85 in Rochester, MN. After moving to Longmont, he co-founded Scout Troop 166 at Westview Presbyterian Church where he later became the Scoutmaster assisting twelve Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle. Fred later worked as a District Commissioner and as an Advisor to the Arapahoe District Order of the Arrow. He was a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. He earned the Adult Scouter’s Training Award (Wood Badge) at Philmont Scout Ranch. Fred was a member of the Rochester Barbershop Chorus until moving to Longmont. He was a volunteer for the Longmont Handicap Parking Patrol (HPP) for eleven years, partnering with Steve Scruggs. He was a volunteer with the Longmont Police Department on the Citizens Volunteer Patrol (CVP) for two years. Fred was a member of the Westview Presbyterian Church and served as a member of the Facilities/Administration Committee. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Betty, grandson Travis McPherson, daughter-in-law Nancy Wacker, a brother Franklin D. Wacker, and two sisters, Norma J. Sheppard and Marjorie A. Lee and his four-legged companion Meine Shots. He is survived by his four children, Donald R. Wacker of Fredrick, Colorado; Rita G. Polluconi and husband Edward (Jerry) of Broomfield, Colorado, Sandra C. McPherson and significant other David Sullivan of Loveland, Colorado, and Michael G. Wacker and wife Janise of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; seven grandchildren: Heather (Polluconi) Dickinson, Jeffrey Polluconi (Colin), Justin Wacker, Jared Wacker (Mendee), Chris Wacker (Patricia), Jackie Wacker, and Kristin Farlin; eight great-grandchildren: Kile and Jordyn Dickinson, Cole and Capri Polluconi, Sylas and Rayland Wacker, and Travis and Lexi Wacker; and good friend Ann Lane of Longmont, Colorado; ten siblings: sisters, Ursula L. Thedens (Alfred) of Rochester, MN, Virginia M. Nitardy of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Janice Buegler of Sleepy Eye, MN, Doraine L. Fieck (Terry) of Everett, WA, Sheryl A. Theel (Ron) of St. Charles, MO and brothers, Norman L. Wacker of Ainsworth, IA, Paul J. Wacker of Colorado Springs, CO, and Robert A. Wacker (Sharon) of Fort Collins, CO and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Services will be at the Westview Presbyterian Church, 1500 Hover St., Longmont, CO, on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 10am with a reception following services at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Heart Association in Fred’s name. Charitable donations may be made to: American Heart Association American Heart Association PO Box 841125, Dallas TX 75284 Tel: 1-800-242-8721 Web: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/ Service Information Memorial Service Saturday February 24, 2018 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Westview Presbyterian Church 1500 Hover St Longmont, CO 80501