Obituary of Duane Evar Fredrickson

Duane Evar Fredrickson passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at his home. Through his words and his actions, he was a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Duane was born May 24, 1939 in Osage City, Kansas to the late Harold and Olive (Anderson) Fredrickson. He was raised on a farm in Osage County and graduated from Osage High School in 1957. He earned B.A and B.S degrees from Kansas State University and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. On August 18, 1963, Duane was united in marriage to Nancy Harris in Kirkwood, Missouri. After finishing medical school, he joined the United States Air Force Medical Service attaining the rank of Captain. He was stationed with Nancy, daughter Julie, and son Scott in Wakkanai, Japan from 1967-1969. After his serving his country, Duane and his family settled in Lindsborg, Kansas. Duane served Lindsborg and the surrounding communities as a family physician at Lindsborg Rural Health Clinic, Medical Director at Lindsborg Community Hospital, and Medical Director at Bethany Home. He educated medical students as a volunteer Clinical Instructor and a host for the Rural Preceptor program for the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He was awarded the 2009 Kansas Family Physician of the Year presented by the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians. Duane retired in January 2010. Duane said the best way to be happy in life is to do something each day for others. He supported his community as a board member and President of the Smoky Valley Historical Association, board member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Bethany College, The Associated Churches of Lindsborg (TACOL), and the Lindsborg Tree Board. He served as a member of Lindsborg Sister City Committee, Sandzen Gallery Membership Committee, the Scenic Byway Trail Committee, and Bethany Lutheran Church Social Committee. Duane honored his Swedish heritage as President of the American Scandinavian Association of the Great Plains and Director of the Lindsborg Folkdanslag that performs traditional Swedish folk dances in Lindsborg, the Midwest, and Sweden. He enjoyed singing as a tenor in the Messiah chorus and as a member of the Mennonite Men’s Choir. He volunteered for the Central Kansas Conservancy, Meadowlark Trail, Coronado Heights Park, Raymer Garden, and bike repair at the TACOL Thrift Shop. Duane was a Master Gardner and enjoyed outdoor activities including bicycling, hiking, and wood chopping. He made up fantastic tales for his grandchildren and was always encouraging others. Continuing to honor his memory are his wife Nancy, daughter Julie Messmer (Mike) of Olathe, son Scott Fredrickson (Andi) of Olathe, grandchildren Kerstin, Annika, and Kajsa Messmer, John and Bradley Fredrickson, Micah and Ethan Doughty, sister Marlene Switzer, sister-in-law Patricia Fredrickson, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ronald Fredrickson, and brother-in-law Lloyd Switzer. Private family services for Duane are Saturday, August 15th at 1:00pm. Services will be televised on Cox Cable Channel 13. Live streamed on Bethany Lutheran Church Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bethanylutheranlindsborg/ and Bethany Lutheran Church YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw3d_tj7k74N3VZOKHcecmQ/videos?disable_polymer=1 Memorial contributions may be made to the Lindsborg Community Health Care Foundation – Fredrickson Outdoor Fitness Park and Smokey Valley Historical Association. Memorials may be sent in care of Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington, Lindsborg, KS 67456.