Obituary: Dale Edward “Ed” Fredericks

Dale Edward “Ed” Fredericks, 54, of East Helena, formerly of Ballantine, Mt., passed away of natural causes while at work on October 24, 2019. Ed was born in Billings, Mt. Aug. 31st,1965 to Jack and Shirley Fredericks of Ballantine, Mt.,  where he grew up as the youngest of 3 children, and was fondly referred to as “little brother” by his older siblings, Gary and Corina. Ed attended Huntley Project Schools in Worden, Mt and participated in and excelled in sports during this time. He helped lead the school to many victories, including State Champions in track in boys relay. His sister enjoyed traveling home from college to watch him participate in sports. These two

developed a close bond early in life that existed until and forevermore upon his passing.

After graduating in 1983, Ed attended Eastern Montana College. While attending EMC, Ed developed friendships which were integral in leading him into a career path in life, and that was in using his hands and talents in construction and handy-man work. Ed moved to Orlando, Fl with his friend Cere Marr in his early 20’s where he learned to build large scale enclosures over pools and patios. While living in Florida, on a brief visit home, Ed met a lovely young lady, Lia Brooks, from Boyd Mt. Ed and Lia dated and married and eventually moved to Boyd, Mt.  This young couple settled into making a home in the country, close to family and Mother Nature.  Ed was extremely gifted when it came to building or fixing almost anything, which actually brought him great joy in life. Ed worked alongside his two brother-in-laws Mike Jones and Heath Myers while working for the Brooks family business based in Laurel, Mt. and trained and certified at the highest level as a Master Installer in flooring. He was a very skilled and meticulous craftsmen throughout his life. His quality work still exists in many residential and business establishments throughout Montana.   

Ed and Lia had two lovely daughters together, Sadie Marie and Lexi Sue. Plans for a home were drafted and Ed constructed a beautiful home along Rock Creek for his family. Many good times and fond memories happened while the family resided at the home built by Ed and Lia. This beautiful home setting, with family nearby, dogs, cats, chickens, wildlife and recreational toys, was a perfect setting for good times and fond memories. Ed enjoyed his family and loved family get-togethers. He was known as “my favorite Uncle” or “ favorite cousin” to many in his family. Ed especially loved children. He was often helping them with their shenanigans, or teaching them a life skill or fun game, or just introducing them to something new. His daughters, nieces and nephews had many good times as youngsters while in his company. 

Life also had it’s hard and painful times for Ed. It was during these early family years that Ed’s mom developed a terminal illness and this long painful journey took an emotional toll on him. Sometime during these years, Ed began to struggle. Over time, alcohol became his escape, and he succumbed to alcoholism shortly after his mom’s passing. Our families and friends each supported him through treatment, but there were many relapses. Each time he stumbled, he was determined to get up and recover, but time eventually saw the break up and moving of the family and many years of painful struggle.  

Ed relocated to Helena to be near his girls. He again found joy in jobs where he could use his talents and skill as a master-craftsmen. He added professional painter to his list of skills and  stepped into a niche he became extremely fond of and good at.  

Mathew Hooker joined the family in 2014 when he married Sadie, and the blossoming of their family blessed Ed with two grandchildren that he was deeply fond of. Matt and Ed developed a very special bond, love and friendship over the years. Spending time with Sadie and Matt was something Ed loved doing. Sadie, Matt and Ed learned from and helped each other over the years. Matt shared a story of how Ed helped him during a very stressful time when he and Sadie were moving into their new home and due to have a baby. Over the course of weeks, Ed helped Matt finish their family home, install the flooring and paint the house, each working together after working their normal daily jobs, and it thrilled Ed to be able to do this. He beamed with joy with the birth of his first grandchild Jacob and often told stories of JJ’s love of tinkering on things and tearing them apart to see how they work. He delighted again at the birth of his grand-daughter Macy and bragged about her spunk.

Ed’s daughter Lexi was never far from his mind. Lexi attended and graduated college in Missoula and moved to California to work in her teaching profession. She had recently moved back to Helena to be near her family and start a new teaching job. Ed often spoke of how proud of her he was because she chose a tough profession that would benefit many kids. He used to say ” She’s this tiny little thing but she’s a giant inside with what she handles.”  Ed loved his family and was working to rebuild relationships with them. He was extremely proud of his daughters and felt blessed for each minute, each memory, and each day he could spend with them. He was enjoying his two grandchildren and looking forward to many more “grandpa” moments. Ed loved and was proud of his son Robert. Life didn’t allow for many times of togetherness for them, but this was also a relationship that Ed desired to strengthen and build upon.

Ed loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing, a love that started at an early age with his family. His siblings felt he “showed them at an early age of 3” who the best fisherman in the family was going to be by catching the biggest fish and holding onto that record. Ed passed his love of doing “out-doorsy”  things on to his daughters and family, and shared in many great memories with them.  Ed’s love of fishing, his love of the out-doors and Montana, was something he looked forward to experiencing as often as possible. This love was only made greater by sharing it with his family, a combination that created some of the happiest times in his life. 
Ed was very compassionate and understanding, and would lend a helping hand when needed and never expect anything in return. He had an easy laugh and a very kind heart. He lived a simple life in the latter years and had developed a close relationship with his Savior, which upon his unexpected passing, has become a strong solace to surviving family and friends.
Ed was loved by many and will be deeply missed. Parts of those who knew and loved him left with him the day he journeyed Home. 

Ed entrusted precious family heirlooms to his older brother Gary to keep safely to pass along to his daughters Sadie and Lexi. As his brother as his spokesman, Ed said this;

       Even in times of Mess, there is a Message….

     “ You are always on my mind and in my heart, and I will always, always Love You!”   DAD

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Shirley Fredericks of Ballantine, Mt.

He is survived by his daughter Sadie (Mathew) Hooker and their son Jacob and daughter Macy, and his daughter Lexi, all of Helena, Mt., his ex-wife and mother to his daughters, Lia Beck, his son Robert (Justine) Quanbeck and son Gavin and daughter Addison of Gillette,Wyo. He is survived also by brother Gary (Diana) Fredericks of Worden, Mt and their children, son Joshua (Kayla) Fredericks, Adarra and Raiden and daughter Trista (Chris) Hoffman and daughters Erykah and Evelyn. His sister Corina Fredericks Schwarzinger of Huntley, Mt, ex-husband Wil Schwarzinger and their son Connor (Shannon), son Taylor ( Brittany) and their son Brayden, and daughter Miranda, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins that were always near and dear to his heart.

Thank You to Helena EMS, and a very heart-felt Thank You to Dave. Ed talked highly of you, and God saw fit for you to be there when he called his son home, and also to the nurse who started CPR. Thank you!

A Memorial Service is planned for Fri. Nov. 8th at 2:00 p.m. at Liberty Baptist Church, 210 Sierra Rd West, Helena, Mt. 59602

A “Celebration of Life” Service is planned for later next spring pending arrangements. 
Condolences and Memorials can be sent to Sadie Hooker and Lexi Fredericks at 3005 Prospect Avenue, Helena, Mt. 59601 or to Gary Fredericks, 2481 Main St. Worden Mt. 59088 or to  Corina Schwarzinger, 1207 Chipper Ln. Huntley, Mt. 59037.