1921
Don
2009
Don Frederick
October 7, 1921 — March 22, 2009
Donald Elroy Frederick was born October 7, 1921 to Benton and Bertha (Bodeker) in Westport, MN. He grew up on the family farm outside of Westport where he was the first of six boys. Don graduated from Villard High School in 1940. He then worked on the farm for a short time before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1942. After enlisting, he attended Diesel School in Columbia, MO and Detroit, MI. Don served on an LST beginning March 1943 for 20 months. While on board, Don’s ship was involved in the invasions of Sicily, Salerno and Normandy, where they made 32 trips across the English Channel. He was also stationed in the Galapagos Islands.
Don received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy in December 1945, when he returned home to Minnesota and managed a farm near Starbuck, MN. While attending a dance at the Lakeside Ballroom in Glenwood, he met Arlene Elizabeth Dalager, whom he married on September 13, 1947.
Don and Arlene then moved to St. Paul where Don attended the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus. He graduated in June 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Upon graduation, they moved to Clinton where Don taught Vocational Agriculture and served as FFA advisor and taugh adult education classes until he retired in May 1984.
In October of 1964, the family moved to a farm two miles outside of Clinton where he raised sheep and pigs while continuing to teach at Clinton.
Don was active at Trinity Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and taught adult bible classes. He was active in the American Legion, where he served as Commander. He was also a member of the VFW. While FFA advisor, the local chapter did annual Corn Drives for Camp Courage. Don also served as District FFA Advisor. He was inducted into the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame in April of 2006.
After retirement, Don and Arlene spent 20 winters in Arizona where he enjoyed hiking, billiards, cards and dancing. Don also enjoyed traveling with his wife and children, hunting and fishing. He loved playing and watching baseball including high school, town teams, umpiring and the Minnesota Twins. He enjoyed watching all his grandchildren in their various sporting events and activities.
Don was preceded in death by infant daughter, Cheryl Ann; parents, Benton and Bertha; brothers, Floyd and Duane; brothers-in-law, Hans Dalager, Harlan Dalager, Clermont Brenden, Florian Wagner, and Clyde Dodds; sister-in-law Louise Dalager.
He will be deeply missed by Arlene, his wife of 61 years; daughters Carol Frederick of Brooklyn Park, MN, Sharon (Doug) Folkens of Hector, MN, Susan (Randy) Rolfsmeier of Correll, MN, Jodi (Brett) Jackson of Eagan, MN; grandchildren, Blair (Valerie) Folkens of Brandon, SD, Barry (Lori) Folkens of Stewartville, MN, Tori Rolfsmeier of Alexandria, MN and Travis Rolfsmeier of Correll, MN; brothers, Leland (Carole) Frederick of Black River Falls, WI, Fordyce (Jean) Frederick of Beulah, CO, and Lawren (Edna) Frederick of Carlisle, PA, sisters-in-law Helen Frederick, June Frederick, Eleanor Dodds, Myra Brenden, Wanda Wagner and Elaine Dalager; brothers-in-law, Bill Dalager, Richard (Pat) Dalager, Kenneth (Judy) Dalager, Gerald (Cheryl) Dalager, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Don received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy in December 1945, when he returned home to Minnesota and managed a farm near Starbuck, MN. While attending a dance at the Lakeside Ballroom in Glenwood, he met Arlene Elizabeth Dalager, whom he married on September 13, 1947.
Don and Arlene then moved to St. Paul where Don attended the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus. He graduated in June 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Upon graduation, they moved to Clinton where Don taught Vocational Agriculture and served as FFA advisor and taugh adult education classes until he retired in May 1984.
In October of 1964, the family moved to a farm two miles outside of Clinton where he raised sheep and pigs while continuing to teach at Clinton.
Don was active at Trinity Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and taught adult bible classes. He was active in the American Legion, where he served as Commander. He was also a member of the VFW. While FFA advisor, the local chapter did annual Corn Drives for Camp Courage. Don also served as District FFA Advisor. He was inducted into the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame in April of 2006.
After retirement, Don and Arlene spent 20 winters in Arizona where he enjoyed hiking, billiards, cards and dancing. Don also enjoyed traveling with his wife and children, hunting and fishing. He loved playing and watching baseball including high school, town teams, umpiring and the Minnesota Twins. He enjoyed watching all his grandchildren in their various sporting events and activities.
Don was preceded in death by infant daughter, Cheryl Ann; parents, Benton and Bertha; brothers, Floyd and Duane; brothers-in-law, Hans Dalager, Harlan Dalager, Clermont Brenden, Florian Wagner, and Clyde Dodds; sister-in-law Louise Dalager.
He will be deeply missed by Arlene, his wife of 61 years; daughters Carol Frederick of Brooklyn Park, MN, Sharon (Doug) Folkens of Hector, MN, Susan (Randy) Rolfsmeier of Correll, MN, Jodi (Brett) Jackson of Eagan, MN; grandchildren, Blair (Valerie) Folkens of Brandon, SD, Barry (Lori) Folkens of Stewartville, MN, Tori Rolfsmeier of Alexandria, MN and Travis Rolfsmeier of Correll, MN; brothers, Leland (Carole) Frederick of Black River Falls, WI, Fordyce (Jean) Frederick of Beulah, CO, and Lawren (Edna) Frederick of Carlisle, PA, sisters-in-law Helen Frederick, June Frederick, Eleanor Dodds, Myra Brenden, Wanda Wagner and Elaine Dalager; brothers-in-law, Bill Dalager, Richard (Pat) Dalager, Kenneth (Judy) Dalager, Gerald (Cheryl) Dalager, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.