Nov.
3, 1920 - Nov. 20, 2009SOUTH BEND - D. Jeanne (Wharton) Frederickson, 89, residing in South Bend, passed away peacefully at 10:15 p.m. Friday, November 20, 2009, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center where she was admitted earlier in the day. She was born November 3, 1920, in South Bend, the daughter of J. Russell & Clara (Reinking) Wharton, and has remained a lifelong resident. She graduated in 1939 from Central High School and attended Indiana University of South Bend from 1939 to 1941. On May 26, 1945 in the Chapel at First United Methodist Church, South Bend, as Jeanne Wharton, she was united in marriage to Dale A. Frederickson. They resided on New Road near Woodland, just south of Mishawaka, where they raised all their own organic fruits and vegetables for their growing family, leading to opening the first natural foods store in Indiana in 1956. She was the former owner of Ecology Health Foods, and formerly worked at South Bend Lathe where she was the first draftswoman, and at Associates Investment Company as Assistant Collection Manager. Mrs. Frederickson was preceded in death by her husband Dale on November 27, 1975, a grandson, Benjamin Watson, and two sisters, Madeline and Jeanette Wharton. Surviving are her eight children, Judy (Layne) Watson of Blacksburg, VA, Jill (Jack) Cummings, of Manchester, NH, Joyce (Donald) St. Clair of Glen Ellyn, IL, Jay (Theresa) Frederickson of Mishawaka, Janet (Robert) Hamilton, of Vestal, NY, Joan Crozier of South Bend, James (Sandra) Frederickson of Melbourne, Australia, and Jenny Frederickson of Little Rock, AK. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and her brother, J. Richard (Gloria) Wharton of Saginaw, MI. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and most especially a great friend. She always made holidays special, and was always great at mixing fun with work. She loved travel, music, ice-cream and peanut butter. Mrs. Frederickson was a lifetime active member of Weight Watchers and also a longtime Bible Student, most recently a member of the non-denominational Bible Study Fellowship. Just as she always prayed, she lived independently until the day she died. By her wishes, there will be a private graveside service Tuesday, November 24. There will be no visitation. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. Arrangements for the Frederickson Family are being made by the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN. Online condolences may be made to the family at, www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.