G. Erma Fredrickson

Fredrickson, G. Erma WAUNAKEE/ MUSCODA G. Erma Fredrickson, age 83, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in Madison after living a quality life for six years with terminal lung cancer. Erma, first child of William Leon and Ethel (Callaway) Pellett, was born on Oct. 19, 1924, in Richland County, Wis. She graduated from Viola High School in 1942, and on March 6, 1943, she married Kenneth L. Fredrickson of Vernon County. Erma held many different jobs throughout her life, but her longest one was as an Artex/TriChem instructor, which she did for 44 years, and her favorite job was being a grandma and a great-grandma. Erma had a kind face and an infectious smile. Her positive attitude and strong spirit have been an inspiration to all who knew her. Erma is survived by Ken, her husband of 65 years; her son, Bob (Pat) Fredrickson; her daughter, Karen (Tom) Dorman; her six grandchildren, Lisa Gelhaus, Christine (Bill) McCarty, Nathan Gelhaus (Lara Drullinger), Carmen (Dave) Kaltenberg, Pam (Brett) Werlein, and Stacy Ripp (Rory Trickle); and her 13 great-grandchildren, Alessia Cova, William and Maggie McCarty, Hunter Drullinger and Madison Gelhaus, Kylie and Lexi Kaltenberg, Haley and Jacob Werlein, and Delton and MacKenzie Ripp and Mason and Kaden Trickle. Erma is further survived by three sisters, Mavis (Gene) Ulrich, Milly (Bill) Boyer, and Ruth Ann (Bob) Guyer; a sister-in-law, Ann Pellett; a brother, Marvin (Elaine) Pellett; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ruth Gelhaus on Nov. 6, 2007; and her brother, Lee Pellett in 2003. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Monday, Aug. 11, 2008, at 11 a.m. and will be conducted by Ermas oldest granddaughter, Lisa Gelhaus. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. An additional service will be held at THORSON-REETZ FUNERAL HOME, 856 S. Rusk Ave., Viroqua, on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008, at 11 a.m. preceded by a visitation at 10 a.m. and followed by interment at the Viroqua Cemetery. Thanks to Dr. Thomas McFarland for his care of Erma, even when she delighted in "making a liar" out of him and his survival statistics. A special thanks to the waitresses at the Center Café in Richland Center for their concern and their ever-ready coffee pots. And a great big hug to all the nurses in the Outpatient Section of the Richland Center Hospital for their care and compassion for both Erma and Ken. To honor Erma, the family invites everyone who knew her to wear something purple.