Frederick H Caturia
Frederick H. Caturia, age 91, of Arkansaw, WI joined his loved ones in heaven on June, 24,2024.
Fred was born on November 28, 1932 to Acie and Jane (Haldeman) Caturia. He grew up on the farm in ‘Big Coulee’ Arkansaw where he would continue to farm, raise his family and live the rest of his life. He attended 8 years of grade school at the Big Coulee grade school and graduated from Arkansaw High School in May of 1950.
Following graduation, Fred and Jim Lien, his classmate and life long friend, worked their way west doing whatever farm work they could find. They landed in Washington working the fruit and apple harvest through November.
On April 1, 1951 Fred enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served his country for 4 years on the Aircraft Carrier USS Tarawa. Fred literally sailed around the world on this beloved ship with tours to the Mediterranean and Korea. He was able to see and experience many different things that people often only dream about before being honorably discharged in March of 1955. Fred loved sharing stories of his adventures around the world, and has even mapped his path on a globe for his grandchildren and great grandchildren as a treasured keepsake.
Fred was no stranger to hard work. In 1955 he went to work for Norman Seivwright Construction for several years, which is where he learned his masonry skills. In 1965 he joined the Bricklayers Union, working full time until his retirement in 2000. This was not Fred’s only line of work though, as he also farmed full time too, with the help of his wife and children running their dairy farm and 140 acres for several years, until eventually selling the cows in 1989. After retirement, you would never see Fred sitting still. He was well known for his masonry skills and continued to do brick work for many people in the area well into his 70’s.
In 1957, he met his wife, Arvilla Bauer. They were married on February 12, 1958. To this union, eight children were born. In 1969, they purchased the home farm from his parents where they would raise their children, run their dairy farm, face many trials and tribulations as well as create many memories over the years. Fred enjoyed his large garden and sharing the vegetables with many friends and family with a special delivery from him, always with a smile on his face, a story to tell and a minute or usually longer to chit chat. Fred enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing, playing cards and especially his day trips to the casino once in a while. He will always be remembered for being a very kind and generous man, always willing to help anyone in need. His faith, family and farm were his pride and joy.
Fred is preceded in death by his wife, Arvilla of 62 years, a son Patrick, brothers Alfred, Dwight (Ollie), John (Veronica) and Wilbur and a sister Grace (Alvin) Iverson as well as his parents.
He is survived by his children Monica (Kevin) Schack of Webb Lake, Gene (Laura) of Exeland, Marjorie (Dan) Biesterveld of Arkansaw, Theresa Kriesel of Cochrane, Gina (Glenn) Hayden of Arkansaw, Kenneth (Tammy) Caturia of Durand and Joe (Tammy) Caturia of Arkansaw, Sister-in-law Joyce Caturia as well as several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00AM Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Parish in Arkansaw with Rev. Junabe V. Villapaz officiating. Burial will be in the Arkansaw French Cemetery in Arkansaw with Military Honors provided by the Durand American Legion Post #186. Visitation will be held from 4:00PM-8:00PM Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand, WI and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.