Fredric Arnold Holbeck, of Batavia Illinois and Burnsville, Minnesota, died peacefully on March 13, 2023, surrounded by the love of his children, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren, and his wife of 66 years. Fred was a patriot and a humanitarian. He cared deeply about doing the right thing and taking care of everyone. He loved dogs, nature, fishing, golf, beer, dancing, laughter, ice cream, jokes, sailing, music, and his Minnesota sports teams. He adored his friends, his family, and especially his wife, Sharon.
Fred was born in Two Harbors, MN on January 3, 1933. He played on sports teams and in the band in high school and was known for his love of having fun. He served in the United States Navy for 4 years in Korea and returned to Two Harbors, where he married Sharon Elisabeth Riley on May 17, 1957. Fred embarked on a teaching career that took him to Elgin, IL. He was later a principal and superintendent of schools in Naperville, IL, after which his career evolved toward corrections. He was the superintendent at the Illinois State Training School for Girls in Geneva, IL, before he moved back to Minnesota to work in the corrections department there as the warden of several facilities. He held a strong value for the humane treatment of people who had made mistakes and a great commitment to upholding the wellbeing of his employees and coworkers. He loved and took care of the people who worked with him always, just as he did for everyone in his world.
Fred took great joy and gave great joy to his family. He cherished his kids, and his love of life lives on in his children, Elisabeth (Paul) Pederson, Amy (Scott) MacDonald, and Christopher (Miki) Holbeck; his grand-children, Tyler (Mary) MacDonald, Riley (Andy) Klink, Elise (Rob) Huston, Hannah (Scott) Sweeney, Kailyn (Ryne) Sullivan, Kristina MacDonald, Jack MacDonald, Audrey Holbeck and Wally Holbeck; his great grandchildren, Logan Huston, Brooklyn MacDonald, Henry Klink, Cameron Swee-ney, Alexandria MacDonald, Callan Huston, and Arlo Klink. Fred treasured his cousins, his in-laws, his nieces and nephews and their families, and his many dear friends. And the dogs of course; he loved all the dogs. He joins in heaven his parents, Ina Strom Holbeck and Arnold Holbeck and his sister, Betty Holbeck Freedman Ostrus, who have been missing his warmth and humor for far too long.
We will gather to celebrate Fred at 3:00 on Thursday, June 15, 2023 in Lakeville, MN. (email dr.amymacdonald@gmail for more info)
Memorials should be of the following kind only: dance with your wife, hug your children, delight in your grandkids and their kids, hit a great golf shot, sing a gorgeous harmony, tell a truly funny joke, care for people, and honor your country. Or you can throw a few bucks at St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, The Conservation Fund, or Wounded Warriors, and tell them Fred sent you.
