Patricia Fredenberg

Patricia Fredenberg was often likened to the morning sun by her friends as she was always happy and had a smile on her face. She loved the great outdoors and had excellent culinary skills and enjoyed sharing her scrumptious recipes with those in her life. Patricia found peace and fulfillment when gathered around the campfire and she also enjoyed the companionship of her pets. Although Patricia moved around a bit throughout her lifetime, she always had a way of embracing each new location as both an adventure and an opportunity to learn and grow along her life journey. The majority of the 1920s were a time of prosperity for Americans as technology was growing with the popularity of the automobile, radios, and movies. Also enjoying this exciting time were Howard and Effie Markle, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they celebrated the birth of their first child, Patricia Ann, on February 19, 1929. Raised as the only child in her family, Patricia attended schools in the Pentwater, MI area and grew up in the family home. Tragedy struck early in Patricias life with the death of her father before she was even ten years old. This left her mother to raise Patricia on her own during difficult times for many American families as our nation had become gripped by the Great Depression in October of 1929. Eventually, Patricia moved with her mother to the Muskegon, Michigan area where her mother found work at a local factory. Patricia went on to graduate from Muskegon High School When Patricia was in her early twenties, she met a man named Charles Maurer who was working as a carpenter at a furniture manufacturer in nearby Grand Haven. They dated for a time and especially enjoyed going to the beach along the Lake Michigan shoreline together. They were married in 1955 and settled into a house on top of Five Mile Hill in Grand Haven, just across from the Castle, a popular bed and breakfast. This home was a great place to live and had a spectacular view of beautiful Lake Michigan. Although their marriage ended in 1961, the couple was blessed with the birth of their son, Brad, in 1957. As a single mother, Patricia worked hard as a secretary in order to provide for herself and her son. She and Brad eventually moved to Deerfield, Wisconsin, where she got a job with a water softener company. While in Wisconsin, Patricia met a man named Richard Fredenberg who painted houses. After a romance had blossomed, Patricia and Richard were married in 1964 and they moved around a bit over the next few years. They settled in Madison, Wisconsin, Las Vegas, Iowa, and finally in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Throughout their moves, Patricia helped provide for the family with secretarial work. The couple also was blessed with the birth of their son, Dave, in 1966. This marriage ended as well and Patricia decided she was going to focus on raising her sons rather than dating anymore. Patricia moved with her sons to a house on North Cedar in Robinson Township in Grand Haven, Michigan, where they loved living in the woods. She found work as a salesperson for Midwest Mobile Homes and she thoroughly enjoyed her work. In fact, Patricia held this job until she was in her mid-seventies! Camping was always an activity that Patricia enjoyed and was a great way to spend time family time too. She purchased a little trailer and the three of them camped at Pines Point on the Pine River near Hesperia or at other campgrounds as well. Patricia loved many aspects of camping including campfires, cooking over the open fire, and the crispness of the fresh air. Even after Brad had grown and moved out on his own and Dave joined the military, she continued to go camping often. There were other traits and interests that were unique to Patricia and for which she will be lovingly remembered. Patricia developed a great group of friends and they would often gather for cookouts and meals at their homes. Patricia loved preparing the food for these gatherings and her son even named her the Queen of Hors D Oeuvres" as she loved to put out big spreads of snacks during the holidays and also for other family gatherings. Patricia was also known to savor her regular evening martini and she enjoyed the companionship of her pets as she always had a dog, cat, or a combination of both which she lavished with her love. As she began to slow down a bit, Patricia moved to a mobile home located in Norton Shores Estates in Muskegon in 1988. When it got to be a bit too much for her to pull her trailer to campgrounds on her own, Patricia was blessed with two friends, Margie and Tom Schultz, who allowed her to park her trailer on their property in Robinson Township where she enjoyed spending time during the summers. Also of great significance during her later years was her introduction to the Grand Haven Community Baptist Church. About ten years ago, Patricias friend Marilyn invited her to attend the church and a short time later, Patricia became an active member and made many new friends there too. Patricia was also delighted to discover just five years ago, that her father had established a family before he married her mother. Patricia was delighted to meet her newly found siblings and relatives and was getting to know them better. Life became more challenging for Patricia when she was diagnosed with cancer about three years ago. She fought the disease with great strength and determination and managed to live longer than the dotcors predicted. Patricia was also blessed to continue to live on her own with the assistance of her friends, particularly Sandy Bogner, as it was Patricias greatest desire to remain out of a nursing facility. Eventually, her body succumbed to the fight and she drew her last breath. Whether she was putting in a hard day at work, sitting around an open campfire, or preparing a spread of tasty dishes for a group of friends, Patricia Fredenberg carried herself with strength and grace each and every day. She possessed a great sense of humor and loved making others laugh and she also enjoyed the company of her beloved pets. Faith became important to Patricia and she loved her work too, making the most of ever moment she was given. She will be dearly missed. Patricia A. Fredenberg died on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Patricias family includes her sons, Brad (Liz) Maurer of Hawaii, Dave Fredenberg of Massachusetts ; grandchildren, Kenny, Samantha, Joshua, and Joseph Fredenberg all of Massachusetts, cousins, Bob & Jack Weidenarr, Brynn Newsted, Susan Bridges; good friends; Marilyn Wing, Ron & Diane Reynolds, Ruth & Jay Simpson, Margie & Tom Schultz, Sandy Bogner, and Dave Beckman. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2009, 1:00 p.m. at Grand Haven Community Baptist Church with Pastor Ray Paget officiating. Interment at Lake Forest Cemetery. Visit with Patricias family and friends on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the same location. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Arrangements by Clock Life Story Funeral Homes - Grand Haven location - Grand Haven, MI.