Captain Donald H Froemke Obituary (1944

Donald H. Froemke was born on October 15, 1912, in Vancouver, Washington, to his parents, Harry and Emma Froemke, and his family also included a brother, Virgil Froemke. Donald was killed in action, on October 5, 1944, while serving as Captain in the United States Army, 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, in Opheusden, Holland. Donald attended Nob Hill Grammar School and graduated from Yakima High School. He furthered his education at the State College of Washington, majoring in forestry. Before enlisting in the U.S. Army, he worked with the U.S. Forest Service, as a range manager. Donald enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 6, 1941, in Tacoma, Washington, and was later appointed to Officer Candidate School, from which he graduated with honors. In 1942, Donald was sent to survey the current Yakima Firing Center. He graduated from Engineers Training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant. On May 4, 1943, was promoted to First Lieutenant, and later that year, he was sent to serve on a foreign mission. He was assigned to serve on the 326th Airborne Engineer of the 101st Airborne Division, in Holland. While serving in the 101st Airborne Division, he received a battlefield promotion to Captain, in July 1944. It was in Holland, that he was killed, while assisting in Operation Market Garden. Captain Froemke was interred with proper religious and military ceremonies, in the United States Military Cemetery, in Molenhoek, Holland. Through the efforts of the War Departments Return of the Dead Program, his remains were recovered and positively identified in August 2022. The public is invited to pay their respects to Donald by attending his public visitation at Brookside Funeral Home (500 E. Mountain View Ave., Ellensburg, WA 98926), on Thursday, September 7, 2023, and Friday, September 8, 2023, from 12:00-6:00pm There will be Froemke Family memorabilia, WWII historical displays, a guest registry, and the flag draped casket of Donald H. Froemke. Captain Donald H. Froemke will be laid to rest on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 11:00am, where he will receive full Military Honors, rendered by the U.S. Army, at Tahoma Cemetery, in Yakima, Washington. The public is encouraged to attend. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com Visitation Brookside Funeral Home and Crematory (Ellensburg) Thursday, September 7, 2023 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM PO Box 577 Ellensburg, WA 98926 Visitation Brookside Funeral Home and Crematory (Ellensburg) Friday, September 8, 2023 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM PO Box 577 Ellensburg, WA 98926 Graveside Service Tahoma Cemetery Saturday, September 9, 2023 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 1802 Tahoma Avenue Yakima, WA 98902