Stephen Froelich
Often it happens in KC Councils that, “Like father, like son” and fathers often influence their sons into becoming a part of the Knights.  Although Stephen’s father Wencil became involved in the Knights of Columbus back in the 1940’s and, like Stephen, is a Charter Member of Council 10243, it was actually Dave Tlachac who got Stephen to become a Knight.  Like his father, he joined another Council of the Knights and transferred to Council 10243 when it came to life about thirteen years ago.  Up until that time his memories of the Knights were similar to many other people—the Honor Guard taking part in various solemn functions.  Since becoming a part of our Council Stephen has managed to take part in several of the usual activities such as brat sales and the Tootsie Roll drive.

 

After spending about twenty years handling a dairy farm, Stephen is trying to adjust to the comparatively short work week of forty hours (which he thinks of as part-time) as a sales associate at Home Depot, working with hardware.  He enjoys the job because he likes to meet a lot of people and takes an interest in what they are trying to do in home improvement.  He especially enjoys the satisfaction that comes from figuring out a solution to the problems that customers often come in with.  But, there’s still the lure of the farm and he spends a great deal of his “free” time handling some of the responsibilities that come with raising some cash crops such as hay, corn and winter wheat.  When there’s any chance to lay aside the responsibilities of the job and the farm, he enjoys golfing, camping, playing cards and horseshoes.  Like a number of other men in the Council he has taken an interest in woodworking and is starting to set up a shop.  There’s also the opportunity to travel once in a while—years ago he managed so spend some time in France.  These days there was a recent trip to Florida and to Branson, Missouri, though the responsibilities of the farm often stand in the way of getting away for any length of time.

 

A native of Green Bay, Stephen went to St. Bernard Grade School, as did his future wife, Lori.  After graduating from Premontre High School he attended UW-Green Bay, graduating in 1973 with a Degree in Finance (Business Administration).  After graduation he held a couple of jobs before deciding that farming was something he really liked to do.  In 1974 he married Lori and together they raised four sons, three of whom are in Milwaukee and the fourth in Green Bay.  A member of St. Bernard parish for pretty much all of his life, He is a past member of the Finance Committee and the Buildings & Grounds Committee.  In the 80’s he also was a member of the Green Bay Diocese Rural Life Committee, trying to establish closer ties between the Church and those who work the land.  He served as President of the Committee for two years and continues to serve as an Usher at the parish.  Other interests have included service as a Boy Scout leader and a 4-H leader as well as a member of the Bellevue Businessmen’s Association.  He also became a part of the Bellevue Volunteer Fire Department back in 1976, from which he retired last January.

November 2003