Rev. Dennis F. Fredriksen

The Reverend Dennis F. Fredriksen, 81, died Monday, September 16, 2024 after a brief illness.  He was born February 16, 1943 in Buffalo, NY to parents Franklin Fredrickson and Marion Fredrickson Bauer. Dennis was a 1961 graduate of Cheektowaga High School and received a B.A. from Elmhurst College in 1965. He then attended Lancaster Theological Seminary, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity in 1969, followed by a Master of Theology from Princeton University in 1973. Ordained into the United Church of Christ in 1969, Dennis served as pastor of churches in Pennsylvania and Ohio. After his retirement in 2005 from First Congregational UCC in Elyria, Dennis became a volunteer and later employee as an educational interpreter at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, where he worked until 2018. Dennis loved to travel around the world, especially to England and Norway. He was passionate about many hobbies, especially golf, fly-fishing, skiing, and running. He was an avid reader of British mystery novels and loyal fan of Major League Baseball, especially the Yankees, Phillies and Guardians. Dennis will also be remembered for his laughter, especially at his own jokes.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Diana L. Fredriksen; children, Sarah (Clint) Fredriksen McCann and Christian (Michelle) Fredriksen; children by marriage, Joshua Schmittgen and Carrie Schmittgen; grandchildren, Annalise and Ian McCann; sister Dawn Schmidt, as well as extended family and friends.

Friends will be received Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Dicken Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 323 Middle Avenue, Elyria.  A funeral service will be Friday, September 20, 2024 at 11:00 am at Avon Lake United Church of Christ, 32801 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake, OH.   Reverend Dr. Kelly Brill will officiate. A private interment at Camden Cemetery, Kipton will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dennis to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo at https://www.clevelandzoosociety.org/support-us/fundraising-campaigns/honor-and-memorial/donate 

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