Frederick L Nadeau

Fred Nadeau, 91, of Mindoro and formerly of Red Wing, MN, died peacefully Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Heath System, after a short battle with cancer.

     Fred was born to Eugene and Irene Nadeau on March 5, 1928, in Red Wing, MN. He went to Central High until joining the Navy in 1946; Fred served until being honorably discharged in1948.  He was very proud to say he was a WWII Veteran.

     In 1949, he married the love of his life, Donna Stapel, and they made Red Wing their home for the next 60 years; before moving to Mindoro, WI, in 2009. In October they would have celebrated 70 years of married life. 

     Fred held down various jobs before finding his life-long career at Red Wing Shoe Company.  He worked there for 42 years and retired in 1991, as the Director of Research and Engineering.  Fred was a very active community member and gave a lot of his time and himself to many civic organizations.  He was a charter member of the Y’s Men Club and served as president for four years; and as a trustee on the board of the YMCA for many years. Fred worked for United Fund as a Boy Scout Leader, was a member of both the Lions Club and Elks Club, and a charter member of the Red Wing Souring Club.  He was also a member of the VFW where he served as Commander for four years and then as Deputy Chief of Staff for the district for two years. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Red Wing; where he served on many committees: president of the church council for two years; head usher for 40 years; and enjoyed his early morning breakfast Bible study group.

     Fred enjoyed many hobbies; but, his true love was that of sailing and being on the water.  He built his own sailboat and enjoyed many sails over the course of 20 years. Fred worked with brass and created many beautiful projects; many people have his work hanging on their walls today.  As he got older, he enjoyed reading to pass the time, sitting outside enjoying a glass of wine, and visiting with friends and neighbors.  Fred loved his family and took great pride in them and in the home that he built with his wife. 

     He is survived by his wife, Donna; his son, Charles (Elisabet); daughter, Jane (Brad) Ramsey; four wonderful grandchildren, Samuel and Hannah Nadeau, and Erik and Meghan Ramsey; two brothers, Louie (Marion) and Howard; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

     Fred was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters; Grace Harris, Audrey Carlson, and Doris Von Bargen.

     Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 26, 2019, at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, 106 W. Franklin St., Sparta, WI. Burial with military honors will be held at a later date in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 1 p.m., until the time of service, Friday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Red Wing YMCA or to an organization of the donor’s choice.

 Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.schanhoferfh.com

     Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

     The family is ever so grateful for the wonderful care that Fred received from the Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Health Care nurses and doctors during his short stay and to the wonderfully caring and compassionate Hospice staff of the Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice Program.  You all made a very difficult journey a little less painful.

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