Richard "Dick" Marvin Fredricksen

Dick Fredricksen, 95, of Niles was born on August 8, 1929 to the late Hans and late Evelyn (nee Worcester) Fredricksen and passed away with his loving family by his side on August 2, 2025.

Dick was known for his bright smile, twinkling eyes, and an effortless way of making friends wherever he went. A creative craftsman, he had a knack for getting things done around the house and was a gifted woodcarver with prize-winning western-themed carvings crafted from walnut, pecan, and more.

With the motto Keep Moving, he had an active life and enjoyed golf, bowling, football, and water sports.

He lived a long life in a world of change. In the ‘30s, the ice man would walk in the house to put ice in the icebox—no need to be home. The paper boy would reach in to get the coins from the front table. He’d hop on the streetcar in lousy weather. In his early days, he watched one of the first TVs through a storefront window on Armitage Ave.

He witnessed firsthand how the world changed when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. As a youth during World War II, he watched teachers and neighbors leave for military service, some returning wounded. He helped out the substitute shop teacher, set bowling pins, and worked cutting templates in a wood shop.

As the world transformed, his priority of community and service thrived. He served as an usher at Our Lady of Ransom church for decades, coached softball, and helped out neighbors.

Dick’s adventurous spirit took him far and wide—he served in the Army during the Korean War, where he didn’t see battle but did see Germany and Italy.

He married his Friday night girl from Riverview roller rink—Joan—and cherished his family, friends, and community. His passions included woodcarving, western movies, traveling, horses, cowboys, scuba diving, snorkeling, and even beating the house at slots now and then.

“Life always works out… even when you don’t realize it at the time.” Life’s paces led him to a decades-long partnership with his brother Tom as owners of Universal Fence Company.

Whatever he did, he did it well.

He will be remembered for his warmth, his stories, and his ability to make life a little brighter for everyone around him.

Dick was married to his beloved wife (late) Joan Fredricksen for 72 years; loving father of Coreen (Rick) Boenzi, Laurel Huebner, Lynn (Stuart Pollack) Fredricksen, Leslie (Joe) Ambrose and the late Rand Fredricksen, devoted grandfather of Jason (Shawnette Borden) Boenzi, Dean (Lea) Boenzi, David (Vanessa Romanek) Boenzi, Rachel (Michael Miller) Boenzi, Mark (Ann) Fredricksen, Sandra (Karly DeFries) Fredricksen, Craig Fredricksen, Kate (Lucas Eyre) Huebner, David (Brandy) Pollack, Alice Pollack, Joe (Laura Keener) Pollack, Audrey (Zacharey Morgan) Ambrose, Christina (Nicole Mikosz) Ambrose and Katherine Ambrose and great grandfather of 17 and great great grandfather of 3.

Visitation Thursday, August 7, 2025 10 a.m. with a Celebration of Life Service from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner St., Des Plaines, IL 60016. Interment All Saints Cemetery.

We invite you to share fond memories of Dick with us during the service.

For more information, please call (847) 824-5155.