Charles O. Fredrickson
Died July 15, 2016
SUTTONS BAY - Charles O. Fredrickson, 70, of Suttons Bay died
at home on July 15, 2016. He waged a
determined 4 ½ year campaign to defeat pancreatic cancer. He never asked why, never questioned or
worried about what was ahead. He faced
his diagnosis and the challenges that came with it with incredible strength and
perseverance. He rarely allowed those
challenges to slow him down.
Charlie was born in Traverse City to Orin M. and Jeanne M.
Fredrickson on December 1, 1945. His parents
preceded him in death.
He graduated from Northport High School in 1964 and enlisted
in the U. S. Navy in 1966. While based
in Norfolk, VA, he served aboard the USS Mountrail and then the USS Yancey. After being honorably discharged in 1970,
Charlie attended Ferris State University, graduating in 1972 with an Associate
Degree in Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
His career as an HVAC-R Service Technician began at Wares and
Son in 1972. In 1995 he continued his career with Temperature Control, Inc.,
and retired in 2011. A long-time member
of UA Local 85 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, he was highly skilled in his
profession, admired and well-liked by co-workers and customers alike.
On September 13, 1980 Charlie married Karen C. Fretheim in
Northport, MI. They had an 8-year
courtship followed by a 35-year marriage, a total of 43 years as a loving,
deeply committed team. They built their
home and their life together in Suttons Bay, where they shared common interests
in sports (Green Bay Packers/Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, and NASCAR),
feeding and enjoying wildlife, following the freighters of the Great Lakes, and
most especially the cats who shared their home over the years.
Charlie was a caring, giving, strong, and skilled man. He was a man of faith and prayer. He was loved and respected by many and will
be incredibly missed.
Charlie and Karen founded a nonprofit organization, Marine
Support Network, dedicated to the Marines, Sailors, and families of 1st
Battalion 8th Marines. The
men and families of 1/8 remain a part of their family. For 11 years Charlie and
Karen were also Leelanau County coordinators for NW MI Toys for Tots.
Charlie is survived by his wife Karen, his mother-in-law Norma
Fretheim, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Paul and Ann Fretheim, two nephews
and one niece and their families, numerous cousins, two uncles and one aunt.
It was Charlie’s wish that he be cremated and that no funeral
service be held at this time. Charlie
and Karen will one day rest together at the Tanum-Forest Lutheran Cemetery in
rural Sturgeon Bay, WI.
It was also Charlie’s wish that all monetary memorials be
donated to Marine Support Network.
Memorials can be sent to Marine Support Network, 690 N. Stony Point
Road, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.
Charlie’s family extends gratitude to all who have held
Charlie in their prayers, given comfort and support, and assisted them over the
last 4 ½ years.
Please share thoughts and memories with Charlie’s family at www.martinson.info.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home &
Cremation Services of Leelanau.
I didn't know Charlie, but as the spouse of a friend I heard of his life, his illness, and now his death. I wish your family well, and I can't put enough emphasis on keeping your fondest memories of Charlie in the foreground of your thoughts. Thank you for sharing the details of his life, even if I must appreciate it from a vast distance.
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