Agnes A. Fredricks

Agnes Fredricks

Agnes A. Fredricks, born February 18, 1924, passed away June 8, 2011, at age 87 after a long illness. Agnes was the daughter of Alice Sullivan Fredricks and Robert E. Fredricks and was preceded in death by her sister, Virginia, and her brother, Bob Fredricks. Two siblings, Roberta and Neil, passed away as children.

Agnes graduated from Jamestown High School and received her RN from the College of St. Catherine's in St. Paul, MN. After graduation she returned to Jamestown to work in Surgery at Trinity Hospital and then became Director of Nursing at St. Michael's Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. She became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet in St. Paul, MN for 12 years and during this time she earned Masters Degrees in Nursing Administration and Public Health. At the conclusion of this commitment she became one of the Directors of the Department of Human Services for the State of Michigan where she had a distinguished career in Health Care Administration. Upon retirement Agnes moved to St. Paul, MN to care for her older sister during her last illness and then returned to her roots in Jamestown for her fulfilling golden years.

From her parents Agnes learned a deep commitment to family and the personal caring and social justice that became a defining principle of her life. This powerful lens led her to extend her mentoring to many, both professionally and personally. She was an extraordinarily generous supporter of many charitable organizations that worked to alleviate human suffering, especially among children, the ill and the destitute. She never lost her core concern for "the least of these" or for the public policies that impacted society. Her independent spirit drove her participation in nonprofit work despite often frail health and pain.

As a student Agnes was a lifeguard for several summers at Klaus Park. She was also a member of the Girl Scouts and, as a young woman, became a Girl Scout leader for many younger girls. Her interest in music, history and sports led her to become a Board Member of the Stutsman County Memorial Museum, a fan of intercollegiate hockey and basketball, an active member and supporter of the Jamestown Arts Center, and a member of Civic Music. At St. James Church she was a member of the Rosary Circle and the Tabernacle Society. She was also an avid bridge aficionado.

She is survived by five beloved nieces and nephews, Laura Segall (Jeffre), Dr. Robert Fredricks (Becky), Dr. David Fredricks, Jonathan Fredricks (Tracy), Lisa Parker and ten great-nephews and nieces, her sister-in-law, Shirley Fredricks, her aunt, Mary Fredricks, and numerous dear cousins and their families. They will uphold the ideals of caring and courage that she has bequeathed to them to honor her memory.

Eucharist of Christian Burial: 10:00a.m., Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at St. James Basilica, Jamestown.

Visitation: 1:00p.m. to 7:00p.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at Williams-Lisko Funeral Chapel.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery, Jamestown, ND.