Marie Harriet Fredrickson

Marie Harriet Fredrickson of West Des Moines passed away March 19, 2026 at EveryStep Kavanagh House from complications of bladder cancer.

Marie was born May 5, 1936 to A.C. (Cliff) and Marie Evelyn (Davis) Jones in Des Moines. She and Neal were married August 13, 1955 in Des Moines.

Marie was a proud graduate of the North High Class of 1954. She was responsible for planning class reunions and later enjoyed traveling with her classmates. She attended Drake University for one year before she and Neal married.

While Terri and Neala were growing up, Marie was a stay-at-home mom. Later she sold Avon, and when the girls went to college she worked for the owners of Codner’s Florist as their “reminder call lady.” She also owned a boutique in Valley Junction. Neal and Marie enjoyed crafting together and selling their handmade creations including painted jewelry and pens and bowls at crafts shows and farmers markets. They also dabbled in antiques.

Marie and Neal were Iowa season football ticketholders for 30-plus years, hosting fun tailgates with dear friends Dick and Lois Higgins. Together they traveled to many Big 10 away games and several bowl games.

After retirement, Neal and Marie became snowbirds, renting condos in Galveston Island, Texas, and then Panama City Beach, Florida, for three months where they walked out to enjoy the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, they enjoyed many cruises and traveled to most of the 50 states and Canada and Mexico, including trips with dear friends John and Connie Kennedy.

Marie was a 50-year member of West Des Moines Christian Church. She co-chaired the annual craft bazaar for many years and also chaired the Social Concerns Committee.

Marie was involved in her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, rarely missing events. She served on the boards for organizations including WDM Girls Softball Association, Camp Fire, and North High School Alumni Association.

She was a 50-year lifetime member of several fraternal organizations including Eastern Star where she was a past worthy matron. Marie was also Mother Advisor for Rainbow Girls for several years.

Marie was loved and cherished by her family: daughters Terri Fredrickson and Neala (Jim) Ellingson; grandson AJ (Tara) Ellingson; granddaughter Ashley (Matt) Graber; great-granddaughters Anna and Macie Ellingson; and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Neal; her parents; her in-laws Neal and Grace Fredrickson; and a host of relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11a.m. Tuesday, May 5 at West Des Moines Christian Church (4501 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines) with visitation at 10 a.m. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.

Memorial contributions may be directed to West Des Moines Christian Church, EveryStep Kavanagh House, or Camp Fire Heart of Iowa.

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