Norman "Tater" Frates January 16, 1916 ~ December 11, 2009
		Draucker Funeral Home 700 N. Spruce Street Post Office Box 296 Ogallala, NE 69153 Ph:  308.284.4021

 OBITUARY

 
Norman "Tater" Frates, 93, longtime Brule resident, died Friday, December 11, 2009, at Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant, NE.

Tater was born January 16, 1916 in David City, NE, the son of Evan and Jessie Jones Frates. In 1926 he moved with his parents and sisters to Brule from Brady. Tater graduated from Brule High School in 1935. He then attended agricultural courses in Fort Collins for a year before returning to farm.

On March 15, 1939 Tater married Pauline Mueller in Cheyenne, WY. The couple lived in a three room house which was moved to their farm south of Brule. The house was later enlarged as the family grew and the couple continued to reside there many years. The Frates' raised sugar beets for more than forty years.

Tater attended the Brule Congregational Church. He was a member of the Brule Lions Club, Ogallala Elks Lodge #1760, and the Ogallala Masonic Lodge #159 A.F. & A. M.

Preceding him in death was his wife Pauline in 1996, sister Margaret Craighead and Marjorie Lookabill, son-in-law Gerald Goold, grandson Andy McNeff, great-granddaughter Jessie Hindman, and step-grandson Dennis Sigwing.

Survivors include four daughters: Bette Goold (Gary) Sigwing and Linda (Mike) Spangler, all of Ogallala. Jeanne (Bruce) McNeff and Joanne (Richard) VanVelson, all of Brule. One son Charles (Connie) Frates of Brule. And grandchildren: Paula Goold (Richard) Kuehn of Anchorage, AK, Jim Goold of Brule, Jane Goold (Chad) Reynoldson, Brian McNeff, and Toni McNeff (Tim) Hindman, all of Lincoln; Carol J. McNeff (John) Biel of York; Kim VanVelson (Shawn) Riley of Brule; Shaun Spangler of Arthur; Amy Spangler (Roger) Triplette of Brule; Tonia Spangler (Toby) Heath of Julesburg, CO; Michaelynn Frates (Grant) Brown of Norwalk, CT; Jodie Frates (Tracy) Webster of Aurora, CO; Greg Frates of Estherville, IA; and step-grandchildren: Mike Sigwing of Mitchell and Greg Sigwing of Oxnard, CA. and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Draucker Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be Tuesday, December 15, at 10 a.m. in Draucker Funeral Home with Rev. Phil Ewert officiating. Masonic rites will be given by the Ogallala Masonic Lodge #159 A.F. & A.M.

A memorial has been established in his memory. Interment in the Brule Cemetery. Online Condolences may be sent to

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.