Clifford Fredrick Fredricksen

Clifford Fredrick Fredricksen, 81, of Great Falls, passed away Wednesday morning, Oct. 16, 2013, at Missouri River Manor.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, at the VFW Post 1087, 4125 10th Ave., S. at 1 p.m. Interment with military honors will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 11 a.m., at the Montana State Veteran's Cemetery in Fort Harrison.

Clifford was born in rural Montana near the Bear Paw Mountains in Hill County on May 26, 1932. Before entering the U.S. Army he worked as a cow puncher for Steve Boyce in the Bear Paws.

In his Army tour he served in the Korean War, 1951 through 1953, and earned the rank of sergeant first class in 10 months on the front lines. Clifford was a decorated serviceman with honors and medals including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with V Device, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with 2 BSS, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Republic of Korea Service Medal.

After Clifford's discharge, he worked on various ranches and later purchased his own livestock truck. He also rode bareback horses in rodeos and won a buckle for these accomplishments. On March 19, 1955, Clifford married Louella Campbell, and the couple raised two sons and a daughter. He loved to go to rodeos and watch them on TV, especially the PBR bull riding. Clifford was very proud to be an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana.

Clifford is survived by his wife of 58 years, Louella (Campbell) Fredricksen; son, Keith Fredrick Fredricksen and his wife, Charlotte of Great Falls; son, David Michael Fredricksen and his wife, Rhonda Campanella, of San Antonio, Texas; daughter, Debra Marie Hinkle of Havre; special niece, Diana (Dan) Widhalm of Butte; six grandchildren, Dustin W. Fredrick Fredricksen of Clyde Park, Lawni (Jason) Raether of Washington, D.C., Sierra Don Fredricksen and Tryston Chrystome Fredricksen, both of Bridger, Kari (Tony) McFarland of Missoula, and Cory (Melissa) Hoover of Kalispell; three great-grandsons; and six great-granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Clara (Putra) Fredricksen; father, Olaf Fredricksen; brothers, Alfred and Clarence Fredricksen; sister, Olive Fredricksen Dumas; infant son, Wayne Lee Fredricksen; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Condolences may be posted online at http://www.oconnorfuneralhome.com.