The first born child to German immigrants, William and Helena Kassner,Fred received Psychology degrees from University of Detroit and Michigan State University. He was a Psychologist at Lapeer State Home where he fell in love with a pretty nurse named Eleanor, who became his wife in 1950.
They had four children: John William, Krista Lynn Johnson (Gary), Karen Lisa Marijanovich (Bob), and Kimberly Louise Earley (Peter).
In 1968, he moved his family from Muskegon, Michigan to Union Lake when he became the Director of Special Education for Walled Lake Schools. During his tenure in Walled Lake, he also served as a Tennis Coach at Walled Lake Central. He retired from Walled Lake in 1989 as a School Psychologist.
Fred is known for his love of all things beautiful: music, art, people. He was multi-talented. He had a workshop in his garage and was a skilled scroll saw woodworker. He made clocks ,which he gave away to family and friends. Every Christmas, his family and friends would look forward to choosing an ornament, made by Fred in the previous year. He was an accomplished tennis player ,golfer, bowler, and ping pong player. He enjoyed photography and amateur film-making and won a State award for a documentary. He was also an accomplished violinist and played at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. But amidst all of his greatest contributions he was father extraordinaire! Fred was an imaginative and gentle father, with a child-like optimism about life. He made childhood magical for his kids and devoted himself to “being present” for them.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marion Kilkka, and grandson Bobby Marijanovich.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, his children, grandchildren: Zachary , Hannah and Caleb Johnson of Wisconsin, Ethan and Michael Marijanovich , Jordan Earley ; sister Karen (Hanford) Miller of Colorado and best friend and cousin, John (Eleanor) Goebel of Florida and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place at Elton Black Funeral Home, Union Lake Road chapel on Thursday, May 19 from 5-8 p.m. and Friday May 20 from 3-8 p.m. Service will be at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation from 10-11 a.m.. Interment will be at Commerce Township Cemetery on Benstein Road.
Memorial contributions in Fred's name may be made to the following charities:
Meals on Wheels 9525 E. Highland Road, Howell, Michigan 48843
Saint Mark's Lutheran Church 7979 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan 48324
Grace Centers of Hope Attn: Developement Department 35 East Huron Street, Pontiac, Michigan 48342
Envelopes will be provided at the Funeral Home.
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