Elsie Fredrickson

Elsie V. Fredrickson was a deeply committed wife, mother, grandmother, co-worker and friend. She lived for her husband, was attentive to her children and loyal to her friends. She worked hard and reaped the satisfaction of a job well done. Yet, for all her drive and intensity to make things “just right,” she also upheld the slogan, "If it isn't broken don't fix it." Elsie lived her many years with joy and purpose, making life good for those around her.

Elsie’s story began during a decade of change in America, from assembly line manufacturing to women’s suffrage, from the temperance movement to fair labor laws affecting children. The United States was emerging as a world power, yet the coming years of war and economic depression also shaped the character of its citizens.

On March 19, 1912, Elsie was born to Carl and Sarah (Borg) Peterson in the town of Proctor, Minnesota. Her father worked as an engineer with CN railroad, while her mother cared for five children at home. However, because of her mother’s fragile health, Elsie took on the role of eldest child and helped with her younger siblings. From an early age, she learned the value of hard work and responsibility that continued into adulthood.

Elsie graduated from Denfeld High School in 1930, and despite the scarcity of jobs during the Depression, she quickly found work in sales at the local JC Penney department store. She excelled in her job and claimed the title of top salesperson throughout her career. When she married, Elsie continued to work for the company until her daughter was born in 1941.

Marriage and family graced Elsie’s life when she met and fell in love with Carl Fredrickson. Carl’s aunt was credited for introducing them, and their four year courtship only intensified their commitment to one another. On Labor Day weekend, September 3, 1938, Elsie and Carl were married in Duluth, Minnesota. The two were extremely devoted to each other and created a loving home in which they raised their two children.

With Carl working as an accountant for the Chung King Company, Elsie totally gave herself to parenting in an attempt to raise perfect children. Among her many tasks, she was an active member of the Merritt PTA and volunteered as a helper in Cub Scouts, Brownies and Girl Scouts. Elsie was always there for her kids, and long into their adult lives, she still cared enough to offer them guidance.

In 1967, Carl’s job took the two of them to North Carolina, but they returned to Duluth in 1976. Wherever she was, Elsie put her considerable energy to work for her church and community. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity since 1951, sang in the church choir and participated in the Rebecca Circle. She was also a member of the XYZ’s at Holy Trinity and the Merritt Garden Club, and she volunteered at St. Mary’s Medical Center in the flower department for a total of 22 years. Elsie created beautiful dried floral arrangements, a talent that went along with her fondness for decorating with decoupage. Elsie also had a great love of baking and cooking, with her coffee cake and pecan rolls being a favorite for both family and friends.

In 2001, Elsie and Carl moved to St. Johns, Michigan to live in Clinton Commons. When Carl passed away on March 26, 2008, the loving couple had shared nearly 70 years of marriage and a life of loving and caring for children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Elsie then moved in with her daughter in St. Johns and lived there until her death on Wednesday November 18, 2009. Her life of 97 years was a tribute to love and faithfulness, dedication and service.

Elsie V. Fredrickson is survived by her son, James (Linda) Fredrickson of Austin, Texas, daughter, Carol (Lloyd) Schautz of St. Johns, three grandchildren, Kate Fredrickson of CA, Lori Robertson of Perry, Michigan, Michael (Mayuri) Hogan of Eagle, Michigan and six great grandchildren, Bryce Robertson, Jordan Robertson, Chelsea Fenner, Zach Fenner, Alyssa Hogan and Nicholas Hogan and her sister, Lois Bodin of MN. Also preceding her in death are her parents, two brothers, Rudy and Willard Peterson and one sister, Marie Krause. Funeral Services will be 11 am Monday, November 23, 2009 with burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery and Pastor Jon Pohl officiating. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Sunday evening. Contributions may be made in her memory to Greenbush United Methodist Church. To learn more about Elsie and view her Life Story film, visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/53481 where you can share a memory or photo and sign her memory book.