Lewis J. "Lew" Fruchtl, 81, of Grand Island, NE, died Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at Nebraska Medicine-Omaha. Lew's wishes were to be cremated. Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, October 5, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral. The Rev. James R. Golka and Rev. Thomas A. Ryan will concelebrate the funeral mass. Private family inurnment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, October 4, 2018 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary's Cathedral. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Lew was born January 5, 1937, at Lancaster, PA. He was the son of Lewis and Mathilda (Wendell) Fruchtl. He will be remembered by his children and their spouses, Steve Fruchtl of Russellville, AR Diane (Darrell) Kile of Superior, NE Karen Overfield of Beatrice, NE Dennis (Rosie) Fruchtl of Grand Island, NE Douglas Fruchtl of Lincoln, NE Brother, Vincent Fruchtl of Lancaster, PA Sister, Ave (Donnie) Eckman of Willow St, PA Others left to cherish his memory include his grandchildren and spouses, McKinzie Fruchtl, Kameron (Ashtin) Fruchtl, Matthew (Markee) Kile, Leslie (Brett) Behrends, Megan Overfield, Austin "A.J." (Jessica) Fruchtl, Blake Fruchtl, and his great grandchildren, Brynley and Baylor Behrends, Chamberlyn Fruchtl, and Stetson Kile. Lew grew up in Lancaster, PA, attending St. Joseph's Grade School and graduating from Lancaster Catholic High School in 1954. He continued his education at Penn State graduating with his Engineering Degree in 1956. He began his employment with Sperry New Holland as a trainee in June of 1954, becoming a permanent full time employee in 1956. Lew married Nancy L. Twardowski on April 19, 1958, in Reading, PA. They lived in Reading and later Lancaster, PA. Lew was transferred to the Grand Island plant in 1965. He retired as Quality Control Manager from New Holland in 1993. He helped the plant with special projects for several years after his retirement and in 1999 began giving guided tours. Lew also owned and operated LJF Consulting. He founded the local Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SMF) and received numerous awards including the Award of Merit in 1993. He served as a past Grand Island United Way board member. Lew was an active member of St. Mary's Cathedral serving as Office and Business Manager at the church for 6 years. He was instrumental in fundraising monies for Cathedral Square. He was a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus. Lew was passionate about fishing and loved to fish in Minnesota and Canada. He was a tour guide for "The Walleye Connection" and guided trips to Lake of the Woods, MN, several times a year. He enjoyed hunting and was also a fan of horse racing and Husker Football. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nancy in January 2017, son Tim Fruchtl, and a brother, Carl Fruchtl. Your thoughts and prayers may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Lew's obituary. Visitation Curran Funeral Chapel Thursday, October 4, 2018 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 3005 South Locust Street Grand Island, Nebraska 68801 Vigil Service Curran Funeral Chapel Thursday, October 4, 2018 7:00 PM 3005 South Locust Street Grand Island, Nebraska 68801 Mass of Christian Burial St. Mary's Cathedral Friday, October 5, 2018 2:00 PM 112 S. Cedar Grand Island, Nebraska 68801