James Fredricks

James Fredricks, 50, of Alexandria died May 26, 2008 at home with his family after a courageous battle with cancer. Jim was born in 1957 to Marvin and Marlene (Benson) Fredricks in Canby. He grew up in Taunton and graduated from Minneota High School in 1975. After high school he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Jacksonville, AR. Jim married his high school sweetheart Kristi Holien in Minneota on July 10th, 1976. Their marriage was blessed with two children. He was then honorably discharged in 1979, and returned to Minneota, where he attended Canby Technical College for two years and eventually got his Master Electrician License. Then North Mankato became his home where he was employed for 7 years in the field of heating and air conditioning working for Mankato Cold Storage, School Sisters of Notre Dame and Cuddy Mechanical. During this same time Jim attended Mankato State University receiving his degree in Industrial Technology. His last move was in 1988 to his lake home in Alexandria, where he worked over a decade with the ISD 206 as the Director of Buildings and Grounds. In 1999, Jim began working for the College of Saint Benedict where he spent the last 8 years as the Chief Physical Plant Facilities Management Officer. Jim was involved with many organizations such as Alexandria Area Baseball Association (AABA), Classic Clippers Baseball Team, Minnesota Educational Facility Management Professionals (past President, Vice President, and Treasurer), National School Plant Management Association (past President), and Association of Facilities Engineers as National Certification Trainer. Jim was a kind, honest and hard working man who lived life to its fullest. He was a family man who loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Jim also enjoyed fishing, hunting, baseball, reading and men?s prayer group. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife, Kristi; two children Jana (and Scott) Millette of Forest Lake and Jacob (and Martha) Fredricks of St. Paul; two grandchildren Ashlee Millette and Jaesauh Fredricks; two parents Marvin and Marlene Fredricks of Garvin; four sisters Gloria (and Mike Dondelinger) Fredricks of Watertown, SD, Gayle Gerkin of Aurora, IL, Julie (and Brad) Lueders of Canby and Joni (and Marty Graff) Fredricks of Batavia, IL. A memorial service was held on May 31, 2008, at the Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Minnesota with Rev. Merilee Bergerson officiating. Jana Millette, Jacob Fredricks, Joe Vaughan, and Lee Backhaus provided eulogies and the Scriptures were read by Jim?s Godchildren, Paul Lueders, Natalie Watson, and Amanda Van Keulen. Music was provided by Randy Morken and Marni VanKeulen. Military Honors were accorded by American Legion Post #87. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home, Alexandria.