Shirley Ann Rowe Fredericksen was born October 13,1939, to George and Anna Rowe in Arnolds Park, Iowa. She was the fourth child of five siblings. She grew up in Lake Park, graduating from Lake Park High School in 1957. Shirley loved all extracurricular activities, especially softball and basketball. She was thrilled when her team made it to the Iowa State Basketball Tournament in Des Moines her senior year.
Shirley attended Iowa State Teachers College, UNI, graduating with a BA and teaching certificate. She taught Home Economics for 7 years in Graettinger, Iowa.
In 1962 Shirley was united in marriage to Jim Fredericksen and they were blessed with two boys, Jamie and Jeff. In 1968 they moved from Estherville, Iowa, to Carlisle, Iowa, where she substitute taught and was a telephone operator in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1973 the family moved to Spirit Lake and in 1975 moved to Lake Park and built Lake Park Auto Parts, a NAPA store. Shirley continued to work in the NAPA store until she retired after 35 years in business. She sold the store to her son, Jamie.
Shirley had many occupations during her lifetime and she loved every moment of each one. She was a people person; she loved helping others, be it her customers, students, or neighbors and friends. She always put others ahead of herself. She loved to cook and bake and was often found on a friend’s doorstep with something delicious she had made to share.
Shirley loved to play games of all kinds. She loved to play board games with Terry’s grandson, Trei, whom she loved very much. She enjoyed playing cards at singles club, or just with friends. She enjoyed bus trips, especially the Reading Bus trips with Bud and Sharon Fritz. She made many good friends on those trips. She enjoyed fishing, bowling, golfing, cooking and sewing, even sewing suits for her boys when they were young.
Shirley was an active member of the Lake Park Methodist Church. She was also active in the community, supporting school and community activities. She served on the board of the Lake Park Chamber of Commerce and also on the board of the Iowa Automotive Wholesalers Association.
Shirley was divorced in 1990. She was healthy all of her life until she was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. She was able to stay in her own home with the help of her longtime friend, Terry Anderson. Even after the cancer problem, Shirley enjoyed being busy. She had a big garden, and she was always up for a cup of tea or coffee and some conversation. She loved visiting with her Canadian cousins, whether on the phone or at the reunions. She loved her two sons and she loved life in general and it showed.
Left to cherish her memory is her son, Jeff Fredericksen of Newnan, Georgia; her long time friend, Terry Anderson, of Milford; her brother, Robert (Denise) Rowe of Afton, Iowa; sister-in-law, Carol Rowe of Lake Park, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, George and Anna Rowe; son, Jamie Fredericksen; her sisters and brother-in-laws, Joyce (Don) Mader, and Elaine (Earl) Brown; and brother Charles Rowe.
On Thursday evening, April 17th, 2025, Shirley peacefully lost her battle with cancer. May she rest in peace until we meet again.
Services for Shirley will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
