Carol Jane Fredrickson

Carol Jane (Wussow) Fredrickson was born on December 25, 1943 in Mankato, Minnesota, a present to all who would know her. She was raised by her parents, Edwin (Pete) Wussow and Marie (Goettl) Wussow, in a little brick house her father built. That house on lower Belgrade Ave. in North Mankato still stands, a testament to the solid foundation in family and faith that defined Carol. She attended Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Good Counsel Academy in 1961. Despite losing her brother Frederick when he was fourteen, Carol had the good fortune to be surrounded by her loving parents, sister Mary Ann, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  

Carol married Gary Lee Fredrickson on August 1, 1964 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato. They moved to Shakopee for a time, but eventually returned to Mankato as their family grew, living on East Main Street across from Kennedy Elementary School until the mid-1970’s. Carol welcomed many neighborhood kids to her home during these years. They later moved to the country until they retired.  

During the early years, Carol worked as a legal secretary for County Attorney Charles C. Johnson and later for Shakopee Ford. After her children were in school, she worked for Mankato Area Public Schools as a Media Assistant at Washington Elementary School, which was a wonderful fit for her lifelong love of reading and children.  

Carol lived a courageous, fun-filled, loving life. She was a devoted Catholic, wife, mother, and sister, a friend to many, and an inspiration to all who knew her. She loved spending time with her family, children, grandchildren, and many close friends. Her pride in her children and grandchildren was evident to all, and she was an avid fan of the many sports and activities in which they all participated.  Carol also enjoyed playing cards, attending plays at MSU, watching the Minnesota Twins, and working out at the YMCA-Livestrong program with friends. She traveled all over the United States - camping with the kids, enjoying more luxurious accommodations in her later years, fondly remembering two Alaskan cruises, and making the most of several happy winters in Arizona.  

Carol was diagnosed with a rare B-cell lymphoma, which she courageously battled for fifteen years. Following a stay in hospice in Mankato, Carol passed away peacefully on March 4, 2023, at age 79. She is survived by her three children: Mark Fredrickson (Julia) of St. Louis Park, Craig Fredrickson (Beth) of Prior Lake, and Michelle Makela (David) of Eagle Lake. She was a proud grandmother to Kathryn (Katie) and Jack Fredrickson, Jacob and Matthew Fredrickson, and Kylie and Jadyn Weckwerth. She is also survived by her sister Mary Ann Stenzel (Larry) of Decatur, TX, three brothers-in-law, Dale Fredrickson of Middleburg, FL, Douglas Fredrickson (Mildred) of St. Clair, Charles Fredrickson (Mary) of St. Clair, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Gary, her husband of fifty-six years, unexpectedly preceded her in death in January 2021.  She was also predeceased by her grandparents, parents, brother, and sister-in law Geraldine Fredrickson.  

A funeral Mass will be held in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 11^th, with visitation at the church starting at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials donated in Carol’s name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. 

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Northview – North Mankato Mortuary.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.