Former Waldorf music department employee dies

Charlotte Fredrickson
(www.bomanfh.com)

Charlotte Fredrickson, who worked as an administrative assistant for the Waldorf College Music Department for 19 years, died Monday in Mason City. She recently was diagnosed with cancer. She was 70.

The funeral is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7 at First Baptist Church in Forest City. Burial will be at First Baptist Cemetery.

Waldorf faculty and staff remember Fredrickson as a talented employee, but even more as a great woman who cared deeply about people.


Nancy Farndale, instructor of music lessons and composer in residence at Waldorf, knew Fredrickson before she came to Waldorf. Farndale describes her former colleague as capable and fun.

"She could juggle so many balls," Farndale said. "She could keep people in line and yet do it in a good-spirited, no-nonsense way. She made people feel good."

In 2004, she was the recipient of the Holmen Professional Excellence Award, one of the most prestigious awards given annually by Waldorf College.

Following is an excerpt from the citation that was read before Fredrickson accepted her award:

“Charlotte is most highly respected by those who work with her in the Music Department. She manages the day-to-day schedule of the entire Music Department, oversees the schedule of all Music Department events, prepares programs for all events and manages work-study students. In addition, she is the department budget manager and coordinates all of departmental spending. Charlotte facilitates the Waldorf Community Artist Series by handling contracts for the performers, helping with grant writing to get extra income for the series, being available at all events as a ticket seller and maintaining records of tickets purchased.

   

“One of the Music Department members had this to say about Charlotte:

‘Coordinating the various endeavors of the Music Department is far more intricate and involved than one might imagine. Charlotte Fredrickson always has her finger right on the pulse of what is going on in music at our college. She is the most dependable and astute administrative assistant I have ever worked with. She is worth her weight in gold.’ "

Cindy Carter, assistant to the president at Waldorf, was good friends with Fredrickson. Carter remembers playing bridge with Fredrickson during lunches on Tuesdays. And they both belonged to the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a women's group that promotes educational opportunities for women.


Carter said Fredrickson was a well-organized and smart woman. Fredrickson's dedication to the school was evident, Carter said, as Fredrickson continued helping with the Waldorf Community Artist Series even after her retirement in 2005.

“I’ll miss her. She was very musically talented, the kind who could sit down and play the piano at the drop of a hat,” Carter said.

Amy McGinnis, the music office coordinator at Waldorf, said she can't look around her office without being reminded of Fredrickson, who helped train McGinnis for the complex job.

"She was an incredible help and resource to me throughout the past few years," McGinnis said. "Charlotte was always so gracious to give me advice and help on anything I needed. She was a mentor and a friend. She is already greatly missed."

Online: Click on this link to read an obituary from Boman Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements. There is a link at the end of the obituary to add a personal online condolence.