Adam Gefreh

Adam Gefreh, 90, a resident of Littleton, Colorado, for the past 35 years, died Nov 18, 2009. He was born December 31, 1918 at St. Michael's Parish, approximately 20 miles from Linton, North Dakota to Joseph Gefreh and Mary (Mariana) Mattern. The family lived in a two-story sod, stone and wood farm house with a coal-burning potbelly stove, and when Adam was seven years old, his father built a country store near St. Michaelïéé½s Church. Adam worked in the store with his father and attended a one-room country school. He served as altar boy at St. Michael's Church. Adam's parents were the children of Germans from Russia. The families were originally from the Alsace Lorraine area of France before moving to Russia. After Catherine the Great died and the Russian government began conscripting young German men into the Russian army, the family's then immigrated to the United States from the Ukraine. Adam's father was born after his family homestead in North Dakota. His mother was born in Russia and setteled in the United States at the age of six. Adam's family spoke only German in the home, and Adam learned English by reading it and listening to his teacher. After he graduated from the 8th grade, he completed high school by correspondence through the American School in Chicago. Adam accomplished this by waking early to study by candlelight before working on the farm and in the store. By 1934, when Adam was 16, the family closed the store because of the drought and depression, and Adam supported the family by doing farm work for other families, and road construction under the Work Projects Administration. He taught himself to play the saxophone and formed a little band, and loved to play baseball in the summer. He attended local dances and particularly enjoyed listening to his second cousin Lawrence Welk's band play at Strasburg, North Dakota. In 1938, Adam attended the spring and summer quarter at the Ellendale State Teachers College and passed the State Teacher's Examination. After teaching in the local school district for two years, he attended the Northern State Teacherïéé½s College of South Dakota in 1940 - 1941, when he was drafted into the Army. He served during World War II in a military intelligence unit. After four years in the military, he attended the Catholic University Law School in Washington, D.C., where he received his law degree in 1949. He was admitted to the Bar in the District of Columbia and North Dakota the same year. He opened his law practice on Main Street in Linton after purchasing the office from Harry Lynn, and during his early years in private practice lived in the basement of the office with his young wife, Florence Ksiazek, who had grown up near Scranton, Pennsylvania. Florence was the daughter of Polish immigrants, and her father had worked in the coal mines until he was able to learn to speak English and saved enough money to open a neighborhood grocery store. Adam met Florence in Washington, D.C. in 1947 at a dance sponsored by a local Catholic church. She had graduated from business college after high school, and was employed by the Dept. of Agriculture and attending night school to earn a college degree. He courted her persistently and they were married on December 29, 1948. Florence and Adam had celebrated 59 years of marriage when Florence passed away on April 28, 2008. In 1951, Adam was recruited to run for office, and served as a legislator for six years in the North Dakota House of Representatives and four years in the State Senate. He was instrumental in revising and updating the North Dakota Century Code, and in establishing legislation in the field of mental health. In 1962, he was elected Judge of the Third Judicial District of North Dakota. He had an outstanding reputation as a judge and was frequently asked to sit with the North Dakota Supreme Court as a substitute member on particular cases. He resigned in 1972 to become the first Administrative Law Judge for the Office of Hearings and Appeals for the Social Security Administration in Fargo, North Dakota. After three years in Fargo, he moved to Colorado, where he became a member of the Bar and continued to serve as Administrative Law Judge until his retirement in 1996. Adam and Florence enjoyed an active social life in Littleton, playing bridge and pinochle, and enjoyed traveling and hosting family gatherings at their home. Adam bowled with a menïéé½s team every week, played golf with friends and family members, and worked as a volunteer one day each week at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. After Florenceïéé½s death, he moved to Sunrise Assisted Living at Pinehurst. In addition to his numerous accomplishments during his career, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and uncle, and will be missed by many. He is survived by a daughter, Anita Ashland (husband, Tom Rome) of Arvada, CO; son Paul Gefreh (wife, Nan) of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Emily & David Wylde, Mark & Tasha Gefreh; great-granddaughter, Charlize Wylde; brother, John Gefreh (wife, Sally); sisters, Mary Masseth & Katie Vetter (husband, Wendelin). In addition to his wife, Florence, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, George Masseth. Adam's intelligence, compassion, and wisdom, enriched the lives of many. A Viewing will be held on Tuesday, Nov 24th, from 6-7pm, followed by the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7pm, at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 6673 West Chatfield Ave, Littleton, CO on Wed, Nov 25th at 10:30am. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 6673 W. Chatfiled Ave, Littleton, CO 80128. To share memories of Adam and condolences with his family, click on the ""sign guestbook"" tab below. To view a slideshow of Adam click on the blue text ""Photo Gallery"" at the bottom of the page. The following website has various interviews of Adam for all to enjoy: http://www.treasuryofheritage.com/100373