Gwendolyn Elaine (Lexvold) Fredrickson, “Lex”, 99, died September 21, 2023, peacefully at home, after a fall.
Elaine was born in Goodhue County March 17, 1924. Raised on her parents rural Goodhue farm, she attended schools in Goodhue and Red Wing. She loved to tell the stories of sleigh rides with horses and returning home from school, seeing her home aglow with electric lights. No more kerosine lamps to clean.
She received nursing training in Rochester, and worked there and in Red Wing before marrying H.J. “Speed” Fredrickson. As young adults they enjoyed dances in Goodhue, where Big Bands would perform on weeknights. They lived in Minneapolis during World War II, while Speed worked at munitions factories because his severe asthma kept him from serving in the military.
They returned to Goodhue County to build a life in Cannon Falls, contributing to a growing community. It was in their basement, that Point of Sales started, known today as Cannon Equipment. As members of St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church, she participated in church life; keeping her faith to the end. Elaine was a wonderful mid-twentieth century “housewife”, a homemaker in every sense. She succeeded in creating the family memories people hold dear: meaningful holidays and occasions, supportive and tender moments, loving care. “Lex’ knew how to laugh, and make others laugh; enjoying the fellowship of friends and family, and golf and travel, and trips to “The Cities.”
She lived beyond the years of most of her family and dear friends, feeling the loneliness of being among the last of her generation, the Greatest Generation.
Elaine is survived by daughters: Tamara Fredrickson Schirber of St. Joseph, and Anne Fredrickson of Cannon Falls; loving nieces and nephew: Candace (Jim) Lee Whilt of Santa Barbara, CA; Peg (Don) Boraas Lochner of Zumbrota, Mary (John) Boraas Janotta of Paynesville; Kelly (Kris) Bowe of Lakeville, Sheri (Jerome) Bowe Wittrock of Burnsville, and Shirley Fredrickson of Zumbrota; and grandsons Paul, Brian, and Eric Schirber of St. Joseph. She was preceded in death by her son Steven Fredrickson, husband Speed, and beloved sisters Faye Lee and Diane Bowe, and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Elaine was held on Friday, September 29, 2023, at 2:00 pm, at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church, 7459 Hwy 19 Blvd, Cannon Falls, MN 55009. There was a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church, and a luncheon followed the interment in the Cannon Falls Cemetery.
