Hazel Lorraine "Laurie" Fredrikson

Hazel "Laurie" Fredrikson, 95, of Bemidji, MN passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Colleen's Caring Hands in Bemidji.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Evangelical Free Church in Bemidji, MN with Pastor Jerry Johnson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Roat Memorial Cemetery in Rockwood Township, Bemidji, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji.
Lorraine Hazel Addington was born August 11, 1929 in Minneapolis, MN the daughter of Frank and Hazel Addington. She and her brother Gordon attended grade and high school in St. Paul. She came to the Lord at a young age in her church's VBS, and soon after began to make a future to become a foreign missionary. She met Dean Fredrikson during WWII when the Navy deployed him in Minneapolis. Dean called her Laurie. They both attended Bible College in Canada, missionary medical training at Biola in Los Angeles, and linguistics at the University of Oklahoma at Norman City. They were married on May 19, 1951, were accepted as missionaries to Portugal under the Evangelical Alliance Mission of Corah Stream, IL and sailed in January 1952. With their TEAM co-workers they ministered there in church-planting, a Christian book store, a summer Bible camp, and an evangelical radio broadcast. Five children were born to the couple in Lisbon. In addition to the family Laurie's special interest was in teaching Bible to women and children. She loved the Portuguese people and language. The Fredriksons returned to the United States in 1976 to care for family needs, settling in Bemidji, MN and joining the Evangelical Free Church. Laurie taught College English at Oak Hills Christian College for 10 years. She continued ministry among women and children in their church and community. She enjoyed gardening, embroidery, all family activities, and North Woods camping.
She is survived by her daughter Ann Furst, son, Vernon Charles (Robin Wold), daughter, Bonnie (Daniel) Critchfield, son, Dale (Roberta) Fredrikson, daughter-in-law, Kari Ann, 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Dean of 65 years, her parents, eldest son, Kenneth, her son-in-law, Jeffrey, and her brother Dr. Gordon Addington.