Fred E Davey

Frederick E. (Fred) Davey, age 94, of Mankato died peacefully with family members by his side on Friday, May 7, 2010 at Pathstone Living in Mankato.

Memorial service is at 11:00 am Monday, May 10, 2010 at Bethel Baptist Church in Mankato. Visitation is from 2:00 to 4:00 pm Sunday at Mankato Mortuary.

Fred was born on January 14, 1916 in rural Cottonwood, MN to Roy E. Davey and Mary P. (Hiersche) Davey. The family later moved to Mankato. After graduating from the Mankato High School, Fred went into the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). On a recent trip to Gooseberry Falls State Park, he expressed his pride in being a member of the CCC and knowing that many of the buildings he and his friends built are still being used there

Fred worked with his father after returning from the CCC; he attended a vocational school in Chicago; and met his future wife (Dorothy "Dottie" Lutes) while attending Sunday School at the First Baptist Church. With World War II on the horizon, Fred joined the Army Air Corps ending up in Panama where his unit patrolled the gulf for German submarines. Fred and Dottie were married in Balboa, Panama on July 7, 1944. They returned to Mankato after the war; created a family with five sons; built a home on Dickinson Street and a cabin on Pocket Lake near Lowry, MN which provided years of enjoyment to family, friends, and relatives.

Fred was a carpenter and home builder in Mankato and there are many homes in this town built by Davey Construction Company. He followed his father and grandfather in becoming a lifelong Mason, and he and Dottie enjoyed participating in different Masonic organizations.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife Dottie, sister Ethel, and brother Ralph. He is survived by sons Bruce (Lynn) of Kasota, Wes of St. Paul, Ron (Nancy) of Piqua, OH, Jim (Margaret) of Panama City, FL, and Dennis (Susan) of Blytheville, AR; 16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; sister Evelyn (Davey) Wilder; sister-in-law Corinne Davey.