Eileen Frederickson

Eileen Mary Frederickson, age 87 passed away on July 19, 2007 at the Parkview West Retirement Community in Northfield, MN. Eileen was born April 18th, 1920 in Benson, Minnesota to Mary Trojahn Shields and William Shields. She graduated from Benson High School in 1938 as Benson's first Homecoming Queen as well as a band, orchestra and choir member. She attended St. Mary's School of Nursing. Eileen worked for a number of years as dental assistant in Benson, where she met John Frederickson in the dentist's chair. They married on February 12, 1944, and were a month away from their 63rd anniversary when John passed away January 8, 2007. Eileen and John farmed in the Murdock area for 48 years. They retired to Willmar, MN in 1992 and moved to Northfield, MN in 2004.
Eileen is survived by daughter and son-in-law Mary Ann and Walter Kilgo of Dallas, TX; son and daughter-in-law Steve and Donna Frederickson and granddaughter Stephanie of Denver, CO; daughter Marie Frederickson, son-in-law John Schnorr, and grandson Steven of Northfield, MN and grandson Richert (R.J.) of New York, NY; daughter and son-in-law Carol and Mark Thompson and grandchildren Christopher and Laura of St. Louis Park, MN. Eileen is also survived by many nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren. In addition to her husband John, Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Steve of San Jose, California, Merlin of Portland, Oregon, and Curtis of Spencer, Iowa.
Eileen was a member of the Benson-Swift Co. Hospital Board, member of Swift Co. Historical Society, and one of the original members of Hayes Homemakers Club. As a farm wife, mother of four, homemaker and 4-H leader, her station wagon was often on the road while running farming and household errands and chauffeuring her children to and from their various school and 4-H activities. Eileen loved the new farmhouse she and John built in 1978. She finally had plenty of closet space. Eileen and John enjoyed camping and travel and took their family on many trips. They continued their love of travel during their retirement, visiting friends and family throughout the country, touring Mexico and Alaska in their motor home, flying to Hawaii and spending many winters in Arizona.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 28 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Murdock. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the mass from 9-10 AM. Interment will follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to lunch at the church following interment.