Esther Marie Fellows Frederickson

Esther Marie Larsen Fellows Frederickson, age 97, died at Appledorn Living Center in Holland, MI, on Thursday, January 16, 2014. She was born the second of six children on June 6, 1916 in Edmore, MI, to the Reverend Soren C. and Lena (Enerson) Larsen. After graduating from high school in 1934 at Onaway, MI, Esther attended and graduated from Western Michigan University in 1938 and spent her adult life as a public school educator. Before she retired from Ferris State University in 1980 after over twenty-five years of teaching, she previously taught in Lake Odessa, Vicksburg, Mattawan, and Comstock, MI public schools. Esther was preceded in death by Willard Winston Fellows of Lake Odessa. Together they had five daughters: Dr. Nancy J. Fellows, Marina del Rey, CA; Donna J. Skolnick, Wilton, CT; Karen M. Fitzgerald, Houston, TX; Suzanne K. Van Valkenberg, Kooskia, ID; and Betty A. Jones, Holland, MI. Mr. Fellows died suddenly and unexpectedly on June 18, 1952. In August 1964, Esther married Earl L. Frederickson of Charlotte, MI. He preceded her in death in October 1990. Mrs. Frederickson resided in Big Rapids, MI for many years of her life. She was active in AAUW, BPW, First Nighters Dance Club, MARSP, the First Methodist Church, and AEPi sorority. The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Appledorn Living Center in Holland, where Esther resided for the past eight years. They provided her with ceaseless devotion and loving care. The family will have a private burial in Kalamazoo, MI. Mrs. Frederickson is also survived by nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Esther was the last survivor of her five Larsen siblings. In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the Western Michigan University College of Education and Human Development Scholarship Fund, 1903 W. Michigan, Kalamazoo, MI 49008.