Marjorie Fredrickson

Marjorie Lee Wagner Fredrickson
December 2, 1923 - June 5, 2020

Marjorie Lee Wagner Fredrickson was born Dec. 2, 1923 to Lee and Rose Hamak Wagner at home in Faulkton, South Dakota.  She was the 3 rd of 7 children:  LaVern, Lorraine, Deloris, Shirley, Darrell, Rodney, and Wesley.  She is survived by sister Lorraine Klamm, and brothers, Darrell (Ruby) and Wesley (Patricia) Wagner, and brother-in-law, Ivan (Deloris) Holsing. Growing up, she preferred to be in the home cooking, cleaning, and caring for babies rather than
outside working on the farm.  She and her sisters loved to sing together as a trio and even recorded a song on vinyl. Marjorie graduated Ipswich HS in 1942, received her BS in Music and English Education from Marion College in Marion, Indiana, was one of 5 in the College Who’s Who list, and earned her Master’s Degree in Library/Media Science from Wichita State University in 1974. She married Denys G. Fredrickson, Aug. 11, 1950 at Aberdeen, SD and made their first home in Rapid City.  Their first daughter, Nancy Lee, was born there. The family made their lifelong home in Wichita, Ks. where 3 other daughters were born:  LouAnn Jayne, Diana Lynn, and Lynette Gene. In 1957, the family was involved in a serious car accident where Marjorie was injured with crushed larynx, ankle, and broken hip.  Marjorie barely survived and required a tracheostomy which ended her beautiful singing voice.  She breathed through a tracheostomy tube for many months and was grateful she could at least communicate with whispers.  Her 3 daughters (Lynette was born later) were taken to South Dakota to live with grandparents during her recuperation period.  Marjorie’s speaking voice was restored when one day she audibly heard a voice, turned around to find no one there.  She recognized it was God asking, “Do you believe I can heal you?”  She replied, “Lord, I believe” and was able to speak miraculously. When the family was reunited, Marjorie was thrilled to resume her role as mother.  She was active in all areas of her daughter’s lives:  Girl Scout badge leader, Campfire Girls, PTA, Jr High Sunday School classes, and other community endeavors.  She loved eventually becoming a mother to boys, albeit son-in-laws:  Ronald (LouAnn) Voth, Timothy (Diana) Wangberg, and Dave (Lynette) Burger. Marjorie and Denys were committed to each other and to their church.  They began an evangelical ministry travelling to area churches.  Denys, as Denys the Mystic Menace, performed biblically based magic and object lessons and their daughters, the Four Fredettes, provided singing with Marjorie accompanying on the piano.

Marjorie’s career started as a music and English teacher at Groton HS and Aberdeen Simmons Jr High.  In 1974, she returned to education as a Library/Media Specialist in the Wichita School system until retirement in 1988.  She also enjoyed hobbies of sewing, embroidery, reading, and playing her piano and organ in praise to her Lord. With retirement, Marjorie and Denys loved to travel:  overseas to Israel, Russia, and Italy and state side in their RV to almost all 48 states.  They were snowbirds with the Fredrickson clan each winter in Mesa, Arizona. Grandchildren brought such joy to her life:  Derek and Trenton Voth, Christina, Julie, and Karissa Wangberg, Nicole and Ashley Burger.  The Grandkids have wonderful memories of Christmas Eve sleepovers with Grandma delighting them with stories of “Tiki Tiki Tembo” and “Pickle for a Nickel”.  She was a faithful attendee for all the grandkid’s activities:  plays, concerts, sports, science fairs, recitals, graduations and found joy in attending their weddings: Trent and Stephanie (Wall) Voth,  Karissa and Jared Menard, and Ashley and Drew Hatman. Her love overflowed with the births of Great Grandchildren: Natalie Richert, Devereaux and Darien Voth, Leeland and Nolan Menard. Marjorie’s life was lived as an offering to her Lord Jesus Christ.  Her goal throughout her life was to be a faithful servant in God’s kingdom. She served her church throughout her life: Sunday School teacher, Bible Study Leader, head of numerous committees, church librarian, missionary society president, church secretary, pianist and organist.  She wrote two books, “10 Commandments” and “My Story:  God’s Gentle Leading” autobiography.
Marjorie entered Heaven Friday morning, June 5, 2020 at home, surrounded by her family singing her into the arms of Jesus. Marjorie’s Moto through her life was: The will of God will not take you where the grace of God cannot keep you.

Her testimony resonated throughout her life, “God’s been good to me and given me a wonderful life and family.”  Marjorie will be remembered as a resolute prayer warrior.  Her daughters remember many times seeing her on her knees, interceding for family and friends.  She made a significant impact on others as a spiritual mentor.

Her parting thought to all who knew her:

Not only to choose God’s will
Not only to endure God’s will
But to find joy unspeakable in God’s will.