Esther Fredrikson

esther fredrikson

Our precious mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Esther Marie Fredrikson, went to be with her Lord this Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 11th, 2014) in Fargo, North Dakota. 

Esther was born on August 4th, 1916, near Robinson, Kansas, of Norwegian immigrants Chester and Maren (Swendson) Tellefson.  She was baptized and confirmed at Upper Wolf Lutheran Church in Robinson.  After attending rural grade school for eight years, she attended and graduated from Robinson High School in 1934, followed by Brown Business College in Salina from 1937 to 1938.

In 1940, Esther and her girlfriend from business college traveled by train to Washington, D.C. together to work for the War Department.  They arrived in the city with no place to stay and took shelter at the YWCA. When Esther arrived for her job, she was told all of the positions at the War Department were filled, so she went to work at the Interstate Commerce Commission.

During her time in Washington, D.C., Esther lived in a group house where she made lifelong friends that she corresponded with for over 60 years.  Esther also met and married her husband, Clark Fredrikson, who was from Davenport, N.D. and was stationed in D.C. as a Lieutenant in the US Navy.   Esther and Clark were married at Luther Place Memorial Churchin 1944.

Esther and Clark lived and raised their family in Davenport, N.D., from 1946 to 1991.  In addition to being a mother of two wonderful boys, she was an organist and volunteer at Davenport Lutheran Church, was president of the Women of the ELCA (WELCA) and was a founding member of the St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary (now Sanford Hospital).  Esther was a volunteer at Bonzanzaville’s Pioneer Days every year as her husband co-founded and chaired it from 1958 to 1984, and was a member of the Bonanzabelles since the group began. 

She and Clark moved to Riverview Place, Fargo, in 1991 and lived there until her passing.  At Riverview Place, Esther enjoyed arts and crafts, musical programs, Apple Dumpling Days and spending time with the many close friends she and Clark developed over the 24 years there.

Esther is survived by her son Paul (Chris), Fargo; daughter-in-law, Vicki Fredrikson; her three grandchildren Matthew, Bethany (Shawn) and Sarah (Ken); and three special great-grandchildren, Aubri, Nia, Oliver.  Esther is also survived by many special nieces, nephews and extended family across the country.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clark, her brothers Sam and Ted, her sister Lillian and her youngest son Tom.

We are grateful for the decades of love, support and friendship that Esther experienced at Riverview Place.  A special thank you to her nephew and neighbor, Peter, who faithfully visited her.  We respectfully request that donations be made to Riverview Place or the Tom Fredrikson Memorial Scholarship at Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) in lieu of flowers.

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  1. Farge ND
    On behalf of the extended Kruse family we convey our sympathy in the loss of Esther. We remember her as a smiling and kind person. What a wonderful long life she enjoyed!
    Sincerely, George & Karen Kruse

  2. Moorhead MN
    My prayers and thoughts are with you. It is a comfort knowing that Esther is with the Lord Jesus where she is rejoicing in His presence. No more pain nor stuggles.

  3. Fargo ND
    We have all lost a very dear friend and a beautiful lady with Esther’s death. she was indeed one of the finest ladies I have ever met. She is now with the love of her life, Clark. They were such a powerful presence at Riverview. May they now enjoy each other for all eternity. Thank you for sharing them with us.

  4. I just love this sweet lady. She was always so elegant, classy, and gracious. I remember thinking one time, why aren’t women today more like her? She truly was a class act.

    I loved reading about her trip to the East Coast during the war…. stories like that are SO cool! Praying for Dr. Paul & family, and WOW, Dr. Paul, do you look like her in the photo posted on Boulger Funeral Home’s website. 🙂

  5. Moorhead MN
    Just a note to let you know that I was touched by your loss on mother’s day. This event reminded me of Ecclesiastes 7.1:
    A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death, than the day of birth.

    She must have been a Mother for the record.

    Blessings.

  6. Davenport ND
    Deepest sympathies to Esther’s family. Esther was the sweetest most gracious lady. She had an elegance about her but not uppity. A beautiful woman of the Lord and the Holy Spirit showed through her at all times. She was giving and funny and I loved her very much as well as her beloved husband Clark who she is joined with again for all eternity.
    Although I haven’t seen her for years, she was always in my heart.
    Esther, you will never be forgotten. Knowing you are safe in the arms of your loving Savior gives me great peace. We will meet again one day.
    God bless Paul and Chris and their families and all the family.
    She was one of a kind.


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