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Valeria A. Fredell, 100, of Chisago City, passed away peacefully January 14, 2016 at Parmly LifePointes.

Valeria was born in Minneapolis on September 22, 1915 to Eric and Ada Lind and moved with her family to Chisago City in 1917.  She graduated as valedictorian at age 16 from Chisago City high school in 1932 and from St. Cloud State Teachers College in 1934.  After graduation, Val began her teaching career at Furuby rural school north of Center City, MN. teaching grades 1- 8 in the one room school.  She then taught in a two room schoolhouse in Shafer, MN. for one year before moving on to teach in White Bear Lake, MN.

In 1941 Val married Dale O. Fredell of Center City.  When World War II started, she moved to California to be closer to her Marine husband.  There she worked with a defense contractor making parts for B52 bombers.  When the war ended, Valeria and Dale returned to Center City. Together they raised two sons, John and Dale L.

In the early 1950’s, she resumed her teaching career at Lindstrom-Center City school district where she continued at Chisago Lakes school district following a school merger in 1969.  She taught grades 4-6 and also served as the elementary school principal. During this time she was a mother and teacher by day and a student at St. Cloud State University by night.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in education in 1964, as well as a Master’s degree from St. Cloud in 1968.  She obtained a reading specialist certificate and trained and taught adult literacy through the Laubach program.

In 1971, the Governor of Minnesota appointed Professor Dr. Hugh Schoephoerster to develop and direct the Minnesota “Right to Read” program.  Dr. Schoephoerster selected Valeria as one of the pilot reading directors to help implement this program.  For the next six years, she was one of the state leaders in expanding the program and implementing the importance of a good foundation in reading as the essential element in a child’s education.

She retired in 1978, but continued to tutor both children and adults in reading and other educational skills.  She was also active in many community activities, including a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lindstrom, for nearly 75 years, serving on the church council, teaching Sunday school, Bible school and Bethel Bible Series as well as confirmation classes.  She gave of her time to organizations such as Meals On Wheels, The VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, Center City Historical Society and the Order of the Eastern Star Grand Chapter.

She was named Teacher of the Year and a finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year and Governor Arne Carlson declared her 80th birthday as Valeria A. Fredell Day.  To commemorate her 100th birthday, the City of Lindstrom declared September 22, 2016 as Valeria A. Fredell Day.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eric and Ada, husband Dale, brothers Irving, Lester, Percy and Paul, their spouses, and daughter-in-law Janet Fredell.  She is survived by sons John of Minneapolis and Dale L. (Becky) of Lindstrom, grandchildren Kathleen and Eric as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation was Monday, January 18, 2016 at Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom.  A Service of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lindstrom.  Burial is at Fairview Cemetery in Lindstrom.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church (Lindstrom), Parmly LifePointes (Chisago City) or the Valeria A. Fredell Educational Scholarship Fund at St. Cloud University.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com

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