Manfred "Fred" John Hertzer

Manfred "Fred" John Hertzer, 76, formerly of Frisco, Texas, and the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area, died Thursday, January 4, 2024, at his home in Middle Amana.

Fred was born in Emden, Germany on June 15th, 1947. He emigrated to the United States in October of 1950 at the age of 3 with his parents, William "Bill" R. Hertzer and Erika M. Hertzer, and his maternal grandmother, Martha Riekena. He initially settled in Parkersburg, Iowa, then moved to Waterloo shortly thereafter and graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1965. Fred entered the United States Army in 1968 and served one tour of duty in Vietnam, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant and being awarded the Bronze Star. He attended the University of Northern Iowa graduating with a degree in Marketing in 1972. He married Mary C. (Obermeier) Hertzer on November 20, 1971, and had 3 sons, Brian W. Hertzer of Amana, IA, Christopher A. Hertzer of Frisco, Texas, and Darren J. Hertzer of Frisco, Texas. Fred lived most of his life in the Waterloo and Davenport areas. He spent his career in sales and merchandising at three different employers, Sears, Petersen Harned Von Maur, and Russ Berrie and Co. He retired in April of 2011 and relocated to Frisco, Texas, where he lived for the remainder of his life.

Fred is survived by his three sons, Brian (Rabea) Hertzer, Christopher Hertzer, and Darren (Marie) Hertzer; five grandchildren, Nicholas, Lily, Ethan, Mark and Lukas Hertzer; brother, Erik (Norma) Hertzer; two sisters, Sylvia (John) Shreve and Sonja (Rich) Prechtel; brother- and sisters-in-law, Michael (Jane) Obermeier, Rebecca (Scott) Clark, Doris (Joe) O'Donnell and Carol (Don) Allen; and many nieces, nephews and 3 cousins in Germany.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; parents, Bill and Erika Hertzer; and grandmother, Martha Riekena.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Fred's honor to Disabled American Veterans .