Floyd Fredrickson

Floyd Fredrickson (82) passed away January 13, 2017 just before breakfast in Butte, Montana.

Floyd was born September 14, 1934 in Michigan, North Dakota. He was the youngest child of Joe and Clara (Helgeson) Fredrickson and raised on the family farm in Dahlen, North Dakota in the "good old days" with older sisters Orpha and Betty Jean.

Floyd's love of cattle started at a young age. He got his first cream check from a Hereford cow that his grandfather gave him. He then bought a Shorthorn cow because it produced more cream than the Hereford. Floyd was raised with Norwegian traditions, the entrepreneurial spirit of the Norwegian immigrants, and depression era of his youth. Floyd saw the end of the "horse and buggy days" cleaning the barn with the team into the late 1960's.

After high school Floyd took an Agriculture short course at NDSU in Fargo and then leased a farm until he felt the "call of duty" and joined the Army in 1956. He shot expert on the rifle range and was the catcher for the All Army Baseball Team while stationed at Scofield Barracks in Hawaii.

Floyd returned home and took over the family farm at a young age due to the death of his father, Joe.

Floyd married Marlys Halvorson in January, 1960 at the Dahlen Lutheran Church. By 1965 they had four children: Cheryl, Scott, Jay, and Kristi.

In 1977 the family followed Floyd's dream of having a cattle ranch and moved to Big Timber, Montana where they started to raise Salers cattle and every year's calf crop was "the best I ever raised". Floyd was a Bull Salesman extraordinaire. His best line was "Do you need any bulls this year?"

Floyd was well known for his cattle and had many National Champions including Champion Shorthorn Pair of Heifers at the last Chicago International. He also won the Grand Champion Pen of Bulls at Midland Bull Test with his Salers bulls. Floyd also served on the National Salers Board for 6 years.

Floyd was passionate about sports and instilled the love of the game in his children. He was never too tired to play ball with his sons. He will forever hold the record of 33 points for the high scoring basketball game for the Dahlen Dragons (Class of 1953).

After Floyd and Marlys divorced he managed the Ruby Ranch in Alder, Montana where he ran his cows.

In 1992 Floyd married Dorothy (Merriam) Dugdale and made quite a cowgirl out of the business woman from Butte. Dotty's children, Stan, Deanna, Dannette and families became part of the Fredrickson family. Over the years, we have shared in many gatherings and have always been supportive of each other. Floyd and Dotty ranched at Waterloo and Whitehall, Montana, where they made many wonderful friends that they have cherished deeply.

Dotty and Floyd were on the road a lot following grandchildren's activities and delivering bulls. They took a trip to Norway in 2011 where Floyd gave his cowboy hat to a favorite Norwegian cousin.

Floyd loved fairs, ball games, looking at cows, and talking over a cup of coffee (or something stronger). In 2014 Floyd and Dotty sold their ranch and moved to Butte. Floyd remained focused on cows, sports, and family.

Like his father Joe, Floyd was a true Christian, it was his nature to "Hold the door for a Hobo", and help anyone who asked. He wore his cowboy hat proudly, frontwards or backwards.

Floyd is survived by his wife Dotty of Butte, sisters: Orpha (Ken) Ellingson of Surprise, Arizona; Betty Jean Ellingson of Dahlen North Dakota; children: Cheryl (Tim) Graham of Baineville, Montana; Scott (Janet) Fredrickson of Terry, Montana; Jay (Dannette) Fredrickson of Sun River, Montana; Kristi (Jim T.) Martin of Las Cruces, New Mexico; 16 grandchildren, 2 great granddaughters, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

All are welcome to join the family for a viewing on Friday, January 20 from 4:00 – 6:00 at Duggan Dolan Mortuary at 1805 Meadowlark in Butte. The celebration of Floyd's life took place last last Saturday. Floyd was put to rest in the spring at Zion Cemetery in Dahlen, North Dakota where there was a service to honor him.

Memorials can be made to:

ASA Foundation

c/o American Salers Association

19590 E. Main Street, Ste 104

Parker, CO 80138

Dahlen Lutheran Church

206 Main Street

Dahlen, ND 58224