Dr. Edward Frederick

Dr. Edward C. Frederick, age 95, of Waseca passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025, at his home in Waseca.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca with Father Glen Frerichs officiating, a luncheon will follow after the service at the church. A private burial will immediately follow for the family of Ed Frederick.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at State Street Chapel, 711 N. State Street, in Waseca, with the rosary being said at 3:45 p.m. and a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday for one hour prior to services at the church.

Ed was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato on November 17, 1930 to William and Wanda Frederick. He grew up on the family farm outside of Madison Lake with six brothers and two sisters. He attended All Saints School in Madison Lake, Loyola High School, and then the University of Minnesota, where he received his Bachelor and Master degrees in dairy production and a Ph.D. in dairy physiology. On August 16, 1951, he was united in marriage to Shirley at St. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church in Mankato.

In 1964 Ed and Shirley moved to Waseca where Ed took a job as superintendent of the University of Minnesota Southern Experiment Station and the Southern School of Agriculture. In 1971 he became the provost (later chancellor) of the University of Minnesota, Waseca, a two- year technical college. Throughout his life Ed was a champion for agricultural education and the community of Waseca, as was evident in the many organizations he was involved in. He was very thankful to the Waseca community for supporting him and helping him to remain active after his beloved wife of 65 years passed away in 2016. The four pillars of his life were; faith, family, community, and agriculture. Every morning he was happy to get up and be able to continue the work he was passionate about. Ed always said that “as long as you’re enjoying it, you never have to work a day in your life”, and that is exactly what he did.

Ed is survived by his children, Donald (Sandra) Frederick of Eagan, Ken Frederick of Mankato, and Karen (Mark) Swenson of Mankato; grandchildren, Jerrod (Mikey) Treangen, Brian Labs, Justin (Amanda) Labs, Chris Labs, Katherine (Pete) VonDeLinde, Mandi Swenson, Michael (Kat) Swenson, and Mallori (Justin) Swenson; great grandchildren, Tucker Labs, Piper Labs, Ellie VonDeLinde, Ciara Tate, Aston Treangen, and Nora Treangen; sister, Helen Dale(Rachut); Sister-in laws, Carol Frederick and Sandy Frederick, and by many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Wanda Frederick; wife, Shirley Frederick; daughters, Bonni Treangen, and Diane Fox; siblings, Sal (Rosie) Frederick, Jerry (Lorraine) Frederick, Bob (Anne) Frederick, Nick Frederick, Tom Frederick, Patricia (Jim) Matejcek, and Bill Frederick.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to a charity of your choice in honor of Ed Frederick.