FRED LAHRMANN BURLINGTON 1920 – 2014

FRED LAHRMANN BURLINGTON 1920 – 2014

Fred Lee Roy Lahrmann, 93, was born on November 27, 1920 and died in a tragic accident on January 14, 2014. My wife Lita and I became friends with Fred when we hired him to do remodeling work at our home in Mount Vernon on Laventure Street. He was a very experienced and skilled carpenter. More importantly, he was a very kind and decent man. Over the days he worked at our home, we developed a friendship with Fred and stayed in touch with him after the work was over.

On January 14, 2014, the local paper reported that his family had notified the Sheriff’s Office that Fred was missing. The Skagit County Sheriff’s office said it was undertaking a search “for this 93 year old Burlington man who disappeared and believed to be driving his 1999 Buick Park Avenue sedan.” The description included: “Lahrmann is a white male with gray hair and blue eyes. He is 5-foot-6 and weighs 145 pounds. He uses a cane and often wears cowboy boots.”

On June 11, 2014, the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that “a body discovered inside a vehicle that was stuck under a bridge on Farm-to-Market Road south of Edison Tuesday is that of Fred Lahrmann.” The vehicle was discovered by a farmer who notified the county Public Works Department with what he’d found in Joe Leary Slough. It was reported that There was no way to see the cart unless you went under the bridge.

His obituary reported that Fred was raised along with his five sisters on that farm near Hewitt Minnesota in Oak Valley Township. He attended school to the eighth grade before he was needed full time for farm duties. Fred married Beverly Gene Cassel in 1948. Fred, Beverly and Lee moved to Billings Montana where Fred began his carpentry trade. They then moved to Burlington Washington in December 1953. There Fred continued his carpentry work. Fred became a skilled carpenter and led many crews in building numerous homes and office buildings in the area. He became well known for his craftsmanship and work ethics. His math and building skills were exceptional. Even to the end of his life, his mind and memory remained keen.

After all the time since Fred’s death, Lita and I still have fond memories of this kind and decent man who was a privilege to have known. May he rest in peace

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