Jerome Fredrickson

1945 - 2024

Jerry Fredrickson, of Arden Hills, Minnesota, formerly of Fall Creek and Eau Claire, Wisconsin, passed away in the care of his family and hospice on June 11.

Jerry was born to Earl and Catherine (Scholz) Fredrickson on January 11, 1945, in Plum City, Wisconsin, and was raised on a picture-postcard dairy farm on a ridge above Plum Valley where he worked beside his father and his brother, Ken, to make the farm operate successfully and trained and rode his horse, Babe, when the chores were done.

He played football for Plum City High School, graduated in 1963 and enrolled in the U.S. Navy, where he served on the aircraft carrier, USS Bon Homme Richard, for over four years. He married Stephanie Ulvestad in 1968, and graduated from UW-LaCrosse with a business degree 1n 1971.

He managed the Midland Cooperative in Fall Creek, Wisconsin, until its closure, worked for Prudential Insurance, and in the business office of St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls. Jerry and Stephanie raised their two sons in rural Fall Creek where they enjoyed cutting firewood, deer hunting, gardening, trail riding and caring for their horses and a succession of boxer dogs, attending high school football games, track events and music and drama productions that the boys participated in.

A dedicated Packer fan, Jerry rarely missed a game. In their retirement, they travelled to Alaska, California, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Eastern and Western Canada and most of the United States and Ireland. Jerry and Stephanie enjoyed being physically active; riding their bikes and belonging to Gold's Gym and then to Phillip's Senior Center. Jerry was always dedicated to physical fitness and weight training, keeping a set of dumbbells next to his chair even in his last days.

Jerry is survived by his wife of almost 56 years, Stephanie; his sons, Sam (Ann) and Jesse (Angela); grandchildren, Bengt (Amy), Anna-Liv, Ilse, Bersi and Rune; and great-grandson, Killian. Also survived by his brothers, Ken (Shirley) and Mark and sister Mary Ellen Hague; brothers-in-law, Ron (Marge) Ginsbach, Carl Hague, Jerry Andrews, Bob (Patricia) Ulvestad; and sisters-in law, JoAnn McRoberts, Vicky Ulvestad, Nancy (Russell) Froelich; and a special aunt, Edna Rundquist. His nieces and nephews include Keith, Brian, Steve Fredrickson, Gregg, Cindy, and Kathy Hague, Cassie Mason and Ginger Valiska, Aaron and Stacey Andrews, and Mandy Milliren, Amy Gavitt and Kelsey Fredrickson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, James in infancy, JoAnn, Elaine Ginsbach, and Janie Andrews; and nieces Chris Hague and Carrie Fredrickson. Jerry was also preceded in death by his wife's parents, Fern and Winston Ulvestad.

Jerry's last year was spent at Round Lake Senior Living in Arden Hills, MN. His sons had convinced him and Stephanie that they needed to be closer to their families as his health had been declining in the last three years. Right outside their living room window is a small, tidy farmstead that reminded them of home. Their lives were rich and joyful in Minnesota because they could see their grandchildren at their music concerts, soccer matches and local festivals and cultural events. The birth of their first great-grandchild and being able to see him grow was a blessing. The staff and residents here have become warm, caring friends. A shared celebration of life for Jerry and his sister JoAnn (who passed away on August 18, 2023) will be held at Molly's on Main in Plum City at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 11. The celebration for Jerry and JoAnn will begin at 11:00 with a memorial service conducted by their family members. Lunch will follow the service. Inurnment of cremains will be on a later date in the Fort Snelling National Military Cemetery with a military Honor Guard. Washburn-McReavy Funeral Homes are serving the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Plum City Public Library or a cause of your choice.

Any act of kindness done "Paying it Forward" would be an honor.