Fred William Spading, 92, Kasson
Fred William Spading, 92, longtime resident of Kasson, passed away on Sept. 22, 2020 surrounded by family and next to his beloved wife of 68 years, Lorraine Spading (Parkin).
Fred was born to Harold and Mabel (Tillotson) Spading on April 19, 1928, in New Haven Township, Minn. He graduated from Pine Island High School in 1946 where he played with unmatched skill and strength as right guard on the football team.
In 1942 at age 14 he was given a Ford Model T chassis and rebuilt it to be his first car, beginning a life-long love affair with antique automobiles. Fred learned to farm with his father and in 1949 rented farmland, planted winter wheat and profited enough to upgrade to a new 1950 Chevrolet!
Fred’s joy of driving a new car was short lived. He was drafted into the U.S. Army on Nov. 25, 1950 at age 22 and fought in the Korean War. He remembered well the March 1951 landing at Inchon Korea and wading ashore in the rain. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant, wounded in action and endured a grueling recovery from a bullet wound facing off gangrene and amputation.
The army offered to send him home when healed but Fred rejoined his comrades on the battlefield in a show of loyalty, bravery and friendship, traits Fred was well known for throughout his life.
Fred met and fell in love with Lorraine before the war, they married on Sept. 14, 1952, after his honorable discharge. They moved to Kasson and Fred started working as a machinist/mechanic for Gopher Aviation in Rochester also obtaining private and commercial pilot licenses. He became self-employed in the 1970s owning an excavating business until he retired.
Fred and Lorraine purchased a lake cabin in 1982 and he graciously invited family and many friends to enjoy it with Lorraine and himself. Fred enjoyed storytelling, traveling, garage sales, flea markets, crossword puzzles, square dancing and reading. He was a captivating storyteller and fun to listen to.
Lorraine, his children and grandchildren remember his unconditional love, his beautiful smile and laugh, generosity and kind nature.
He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; three children, Kenton, Keith and Lorrie; two sisters, Dorothy Miller and Darlene Frederickson; seven grandchildren; three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert, Merlin (Mike) and Calvin; sisters, Janette, Joyce, Inez and Rosemary; six brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.
The family expresses gratitude to the Veterans Administration, Mayo Clinic and other medical and support staff for devoted care and friendship. We are grateful to the Mayo Clinic Hospice staff for their kindness which continues to this day.
A private, family only service will be held in October 2020. He will be laid to rest in Center Grove Cemetery in Douglas, Minn. A Celebration of Life event will be held at a later date.
A memorial fund account, to be applied to a yet-to-be-determined cause, has been set up at the Citizens State Bank in Mantorville. Cards and donations can be mailed to Lorraine Spading at 10-1/2 Abbey Lane, Kasson, MN 55944.
On-line memorials can be submitted at this link. Click on “Leave a Flower” to leave a note for Fred or an image (e.g., flowers, flags, animals) or both.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/216406320/fred-william-spading