Obituary of Elfriede May Fredrickson

Elfriede May Fredrickson, 81, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Monday, April 22 at Essentia Healthcare in Duluth.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fritz and Dorothy Dietzmann, her brothers Fred, Walter and Gary Dietzmann, sister Barbara Loberg and infant brother Dale. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jerry Fredrickson; son Darrel (Rebecca) and daughter Debra Martineau (Bobo); grandchildren Jennifer Smith (Travis) of Lakeview, MN, Jessica Parvi (Karl) of Lindstrom, MN, Andrew Fredrickson (Devon), Jackie Fredrickson of Duluth and Tyler Fredrickson of Duluth; plus 7 great grandchildren. Siblings Rick Dietzmann of Aurora, Co, Nancy Myhre (Keith) of Hermantown, Sherry Beutow of Hermantown, Larry Dietzmann of Duluth and Terry Dietzmann of Duluth and former foster daughter Barb Fowler who became her best friend.

Elfie was born in Duluth on March 11, 1943. She attended Hermantown schools until the 11th grade and would have been in the class of ‘61. She worked for many years for Bridgeman stores rising in rank from waitress to store manager and managed several locations over the years. Her life mission was fulfilled by being a loving and faithful wife for 60 years and a devoted mother and grandmother and great grandmother to 7 and they were her inspiration to live a long life in spite of many years of poor health. She loved the holidays, and decorating the house was something she did not have as a child so she went overboard as an adult. She was an amazing cook who could put out a 5 course meal for 50 guests even when there was only 20. Then she would insist they take home some leftovers. Always the consummate homemaker who had everything organized all the time. Her fondest memories were 10 years when she and her husband lived at Pequaywan Lake. Still young and vibrant they cemented their marriage and met numerous new life long friends. She dearly missed the Pequaywan home and life there in the ‘90’s. She will be sadly missed.

At her request there will be no funeral but a celebration of her life is being planned for later this Spring. Arrangements by Cremation Society in West Duluth.