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Dale Alan Fredin

September 17, 1945 - April 01, 2025

Obituary For Dale Alan Fredin

Dale Fredin, 79, passed away peacefully into the arms of his Savior on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Marion, Michigan. Dale was born Sept 17, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan to Helge and Lillian (Modig) Fredin. He married Faye Bontekoe on June 15, 1968, in Fenton, Michigan. After his graduation from Central Michigan University in 1968, Dale started his teaching career at Mt. Pleasant Public Schools in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He taught there for five years. After the loss of their daughter Marian in 1972 to a brain tumor, Dale and Faye moved to Marion, Michigan to continue teaching at McBain Public Schools. During his 32 years at McBain, he taught junior high math, calculus, trigonometry, wood shop, and physics. In his math classes, he not only taught math, students also learned about history. Students thought they were getting out of their math lessons when they prompted Dale to talk about history; however, they were learning so much more than they realized with Dale having a wealth of knowledge about so many topics. Dale was involved in his community and church. Dale and Faye joined the Highland Christian Reformed Church in 1980. His faith was important to him, and he served as elder and deacon as well as on many committees at the church.

The family did several mission trips over the years as well. He spent 20 years on the Board of Directors for Friendship Family Homes of McBain, helping those in need. He also worked at Friends Ministry for a couple of years. He and Faye were also supporters of Cystic Fibrosis research after losing Sara and Anna to CF. Dale was known for his artistic illustrations, wood-working, construction and built at least three homes. Dale enjoyed traveling. He and Faye traveled to all 50 states, as well as making multiple trips to Europe.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Faye, his two sons, Dennis (Carol) of Dublin, Ohio, and Lars (Daniella) of Marion, Michigan, and his four grandchildren, Alex, Alyssa, Analiese, and Ayla. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Steve (Alice) Bontekoe, and sister-in-law Jane (Chet) Rogalski, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dennis, and three daughters, Marian (1972), Sara (1986), and Anna (2002).

Visitation will be on Friday, April 4th, from 4:00-8:00pm and an hour before the funeral on Saturday at the Highland Christian Reformed Church, 9034 23 Mile Road, Marion, Michigan. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 2:00pm at the church with Pastor Kathy Vana. Memorial contributions may be made to the McBain Rural Agricultural School Foundation, Dale Fredin Memorial Scholarship. Dale will be greatly missed; he had a gift for telling stories. He had a unique laugh, leaving a lasting impact on all who crossed his path. Dale once said, “Throughout life, you meet people, friends move away, parents pass away… enjoy the moment. Take advantage of the time you have with people.” The family is being served by the Burkholder Family Funeral Home in McBain, thoughts and prayers can be expressed to the family by visiting the online obituary at burkholderfamilyfuneralhome.com

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David Hamming planted 5 trees in memory of Dale Alan Fredin . - April 06, 2025
Charles Cheney planted 5 trees in memory of Dale Alan Fredin . - April 03, 2025

Condolences

April 12, 2025

Katie Amodeo

All our love and prayers with him and the whole family! So very loved. Love, Keith and Katie Dziuba
April 07, 2025

Herbert Maloney

Mr. Fredin showed me the truest form of joy despite all the pain he endured. I was not a very good student, but he helped teach me the struggle was worth it. I often called upon his lesson of the equals sign that shows balance necessary for balance in equations and as it turns out life in general. God's rest and prayers for the family.
April 06, 2025

David Hofman

I just heard from one of my McBain High School classmates that Mr. Fredin passed away. Mr. Fredin had a big impact on my life. Although I recall stories of WW II tank battles in my physics class with him (yes, we did try to get him talking about history instead of the "dry" physics), indeed, for me, it turned out it was the physics parts of our physics class that set me on a path for my own career to get a physics degree, and to ultimately be able to do physics research and teach physics myself. I am thankful that I was able to see Mr. Fredin in recent years at gatherings held at Harv and Ev Lucas's "chicken coop", and I feel blessed that I did have the opportunity to express my appreciation of him, and the positive impact he had on my life, to him in person. He also gave my brother and I some great advice on a matter we were contemplating around the time of one of those gatherings. My thoughts are with his remaining family here on earth, and although I am sad to hear of his passing, it is a joy to think that he is now reunited with many of his own dear family members who have gone before. David Hofman McBain Class of 1983
April 06, 2025

Brad Burchett

My deepest condolences to the family. Dale was One of those gentle giants in life. A man of many talents but modest about them all. McBain HS was a special place because of Dale and others who gave me a strong foundation for life and scholarship. Brad Burchett, MHS 1983.
April 05, 2025

Ryan Napp

My high school experience was so much better because Mr. Fredin was part of it. He was a tremendous teacher, knowledgeable and able to make lessons understandable. He was involved or present at everything - quick with a joke or story and always had that laugh at the ready! He also had a calm, encouraging demeanor that left you feeling more confident. He was a great man and we are all blessed to have been a part of his life. My deepest sympathies to Lars, Denis, and Mrs. Fredin. - Ryan Napp
April 04, 2025

Eric Johnson

Dale taught my calculus class via telecast TV from McBain, for Manton and McBain. I had a number of impressive math and physics teachers, as a mechanic engineer student at MSU, but he straight-up was the most effective and enjoyable! Doodling funny drawings and telling stories, being patient and creative with kids not getting it, or not caring; he just put in the work and had a skill with the kids in my class and I'm grateful to Jesus for putting such compassion and engagement person together in Mr. Ferdin. -Eric Johnson (Marion, MI)
April 04, 2025

Linda Coffell

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching with Dale, and I always looked forward to visiting with him at lunch time. He was a very kind and thoughtful person. Linda Coffell
April 03, 2025

Pamela Boyer

Mr Fredin was a favorite teacher for sure! Fay and family, I'm so sorry for your loss! Thank you for sharing him with all of his students ❤️ Pamela VanBelkum Boyer
April 03, 2025

Neil Jasperse

Dale was the chair of the Highland Church council when I was called to serve as their transitional pastor in 2021. He was generous with his time to get me up to speed about life and ministry at Highland Church, discuss next steps and key issues, and lay out elder and council agendas. Dale gave respected leadership to the council after a difficult stretch- helping with a healthy time of transition. He was rock-solid; someone you could count on. Dale and Faye offered fine hospitality in their home. Ruth and I will never forget seeing Dale lead a group of elders and deacons to the parsonage to anoint Ruth with oil and pray for her before major surgery for her tongue cancer. I thank God for Dale and his gospel partnership. -Rev. Neil Jasperse
April 03, 2025

Joy Zomer

As one of those many students who had Mr. Fredin as a middle school math teacher, I want to express my condolences and gratitude for Mr. Fredin's heart for young people...and his love of math and history! His stories about the lineage of the British Royal Family are forever etched in my memory as I see him writing it all out for us on the board so that we could visualize and understand. His excitement and positive nature impacted me as a student and were always such an encouragement. A Mr. Fredin laugh is one I will continue to hear forever in my lifetime. Deepest sympathies to everyone in the family. I pray for a peace that surpasses the sadness. Joy (Brumels) Zomer
April 02, 2025

Jacob Truedson Demitz

I remember Cousin Dale's charm and intelligence from childhood when he and his brother Dennis were good buddies of mine and my brother's during visits we made to my dad's cousin Helge and family, travelling up to Michigan from our home in Chicagoland. I am sorry that his death will prevent us from seeing one another again in this life, and I sympathize deeply with his family and friends in their missing and mourning a fine man who was important to them for so many good reasons. Jacob Truedson Demitz (Lars Ridderstedt), Stockholm, Sweden
April 02, 2025

Joann Bogard

What a friend, colleague, and my go-to math support person during my years teaching at McBain. His laugh, his positive attitude, and his love for teaching and his passion for the good of all students was evident every day! Faye, Lars & Daniella, Dennis & Carol, and all his granddaughters, may your memories of Dale's love, laughter (and it was a special one), and faith, as well as your tears, bring comfort in the days ahead. Joann Bogard
April 01, 2025

Vonnie Dibble

My condolences to Fay and her family. I am saddened to hear of Dales passing. He was a wonderful man, full of love for his family and friends. He had a heart of gold, a tremendous sense of humor & a smile that could (and often did) light up a room. You all will remain in my thoughts and prayers. I just know God welcomed him home with open arms. Blessings.... Vonnie Dibble & family - Harrison.