Fred was born in Gresham to Johanna and Ferdinand Studach. He was the youngest of the six children (siblings Johanna, Marie, Rose, John and Caroline) who always considered his close-knit family as the most important part of his life. After graduating from Gresham High School, he earned his college degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where the entire family gathered on the lawn to cheer on their first university graduate.
For 35 years, Fred taught history and lead many of the high school drama productions at Princeton High School. He retired in 2001 and moved to Lake Noquebay where close neighbors and the beautiful view filled his retirement years.
Throughout his life, Fred embraced his Swiss heritage. One of his proudest moments was in 1966 when he took his mother, Johanna, back to her birth village of Altstatten to visit family she had last seen when she immigrated in 1926 to marry Ferdinand.
Fred loved to travel, cook, do puzzles of all kinds, read and never met a pun he did not enjoy. He was the ringleader of family functions — from fishing trips to reunions. His reunion games were legendary and those who earned a coveted “Granny” award still prominently display them.
His 25 nieces and nephews will always remember the special moments at Grandma’s house, where he played a central role: the underage driving lessons (where he managed to make sure no one nor his old Corvair were hurt), their favorite homemade cookies on hand, introducing those who were bold to oysters and mussels and card games with real silver money.
He leaves behind his sister, Caroline (Bert), of Gresham; brother John (Yvonne), of Chicago, and nearly 100 in the generations below him who mourn his passing.
Donations in Fred’s memory can be directed to the American Cancer Society or your local high school drama program.
Post-COVID, the family will gather for a bittersweet Studach family reunion to raise a toast of pear brandy and sing “Edelweiss” in his honor.
Rhodes-Charapata Funeral Home in Crivitz assisted the family.
Fred (Ferdinand) Studach May 22, 1943 – Feb. 1, 2021
