Frederick Menard

Frederick Albert "Fritz" Menard, 81, of Crookston, MN, died Thursday morning, June 1, 2012, at the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Fritz was born in Crookston on August 22, 1930, one of four children of the union of Albert and Vella (Burkhardt) Menard. He grew up in Crookston, where he was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith, and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1949. He was employed by the Minnesota State Highway Department until entering the US Air Force on February 9, 1951. Later that same year while on leave, Fritz was united in marriage to Madonna Isabelle Sullivan on September 11th at Crookston's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Soon after he left for Germany with the 2234th ARFC. Upon his return to the States in 1953 he was stationed at L.G. Hanscom Field, Bedford, Massachusetts, and Donna was able to join him there. In December of 1954 she gave birth to their firstborn son, Daniel. The family returned to Crookston after Fritz' honorable discharge on February 8, 1955 and he resumed employment with the Highway Department. For his service to his country he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Occupation Medal (Germany.) Fritz and Donna would later be blessed by the births of 4 more children: Kim, Joseph, Thomas, and Shannan. He later began employment with the US Postal Service as a carrier for the Crookston Post Office, eventually retiring after more than 30 years of dedicated service. Fritz was a lifelong member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate parish, and also held membership in Crookston American Legion Post #20. Fritz and Donna enjoyed spending time at their "On Golden Pond" vacation spot, a cabin on Steamboat Lake, and he was able to spend lots of quality time fishing and hunting with his family. Fritz also enjoyed coin collecting, woodworking, and refinishing antiques, and all of his kids have church pews that he restored for them. Gardening was another favorite pastime, and he was especially proud of the tomatoes he grew to share with family and friends. Sadly, Donna passed away on December 30, 2010. Fritz will long be remembered for his devotion to Donna, and being a great dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. May God bless the memory of Frederick "Fritz" Menard. He is survived by his five children: Daniel Menard of Hutchinson, MN, Kim (Anne) Menard of Detroit Lakes, MN, Joseph (Robin) Menard of Delano, MN, Thomas (Deb) Menard of Cokato, MN, and Shannan (Jeff) Hansen of Circle Pines, MN; 9 grandchildren: Justin Menard, Gretel (Bobby) Valdez, Sam Menard, Ian Menard, Katie Finch, Heather Menard, Sean Menard, Matt (Jillayne) Menard, and Josh Menard; and 6 great-grandchildren: Ashanti and Brendon Valdez, Bobbi and Ben Finch, and Connor and Caylee Menard. Fritz also leaves a sister, Lilah Tiedeman, a sister-in-law, Rosemary Menard, and a brother-in-law, Curtis Hendrickson, all of Crookston; 4 additional sisters-in-law from Donna's family: Joyce Sullivan of Crookston, Marge Sullivan of Dayton, MN, Emmy Sullivan of Minneapolis, and Val Ruwwe of Colorado; along with several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In addition to Donna, his beloved wife of 60 years, Fritz was preceded in death by a stillborn son, Martin; his parents, Albert and Vella Menard; a brother, Burke Menard; a sister, Harriet Hendrickson who just passed away on May 30th; and a brother-in-law, Ervin "Hap" Tiedeman. A Mass of Christian Burial for Frederick "Fritz" Menard will be celebrated at 10:30 am, Thursday, June 7, 2012, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston with The Rev. Patrick Sullivan, presiding. Visitation will be at the church for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Crookston, with military honors provided by the Crookston Veterans Council.





Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Service
Thursday, June 7, 2012
cemetery
Thursday, June 7, 2012