Fredrick Magnus Erlendson

Fred Erlendson, 90, passed away peacefully in his home October 7, with Thelma, his beloved wife of 65 years by his side. He is survived by son, Dan Erlendson; daughter-in-law Eva Erlendson; daughter, Beth Erlendson; and Norman Erlendson, a nephew who was more like a son to him. No service will be held; rather the family asks that you honor Fred by paying a kindness forward to someone else. Then tell them this story, and ask them to pay it forward…

Born in 1922 in Pembina County, North Dakota to Fredrik J. Erlendson and Halldora (nee Johnson) Erlendson, Fred was raised on a farm in the Hensel area. Both his parents immigrated to the United States from Iceland in the early 1900’s before meeting and marrying.

Fred met and married “the best girl I could afford” (a sample of Fred’s wry sense of humor), Thelma Markel in December of 1947. He then attended Dakota Business College in Fargo and upon graduation in 1950, they moved out to Seattle, Washington where many other relatives had settled.

The majority of Fred’s career was spent working in the lumber industry. He retired in 1984 from Champion International Building Products where is served as their Personnel Manager. Fred and Thelma moved to Portland, Oregon in 1980 where he happily spent the rest of his years.

He will be missed by many and remembered with fondness.