Rev. Fred Damgaard

Fred Damgaard was truly a man of God. He followed his calling in life and became a Lutheran minister. Fred had a very gentle and loving way about him and always seemed to find the good in every person he met.

Fred was born November 16, 1920 in Menomonie to the late Knute and Ellen (Olson) Damgaard. Growing up on his parent's dairy farm, Fred loved raising livestock and planting crops. He graduated from Dunn County Agricultural High School with the idea of making farming his career. Fred then attended Clifton Jr. College in Clifton, TX where he met Dorothy Bronstad and later married on July 18, 1942 in Clifton. They raised four children, David, Mary, Becky, and Elizabeth. They were married 42 years when Dorothy passed away on June 3, 1985. Fred served in the Army Air Corps during WWII until 1945. He found his most wonderful and challenging years while attending Luther College, Decorah, IA and Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN where he graduated. He was ordained into the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in June of 1951. He served several parishes in Colorado then in Centerville, SD and Sioux Falls, SD. In those days, Fred helped supplement his family's groceries by raising and selling potatoes, chickens, rabbits, and even parakeets.

In 1965, Fred was called to establish Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wausau as an American Mission Congregation. He served there until his retirement in 1987. After a year of retirement, Fred became visitation pastor at First English Lutheran Church, Wausau until 2006.

On August 1, 1989, Fred married Mary Sue Krause in Wausau. They enjoyed traveling and visiting friends and relatives. In his spare time, Fred loved to cook especially soups and pies. He liked to fish, plant and tend his vegetable gardens, and raise tropical fish.

Fred also found time to serve our community as member and past Chaplain of the American Legion Montgomery Plant Post #10, past member of the Wausau City Council and Marathon County Board of Supervisors.

At the age of 89, Fred passed away on Friday, October 1, 2010 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Sue Damgaard of Wausau, one son, David (Barb) Damgaard of Woodruff, three daughters, Mary (Glyndon) Knutson of Centerville, SD, Becky (Greg) Getting of Flower Mound, TX, Liz Damgaard of Lake City, FL, three step children, Tuck (Kathy) Krause of Minocqua, Chris (Tara) Krause of Atlanta, GA, Lisa Krause of Madison, one sister, Hazel (Jack) Bredfeldt of Austin, MN, 8 grandchildren, Tim (Julie) Damgaard, Beth (Steve) Daniel, Jamie (Dave) Harmon, Jonathan (Shana) Knutson, Jill (Tom) Frieberg, Bart Plamann, Erin (Jason) Overstreet, Sara Getting, 8 great grandchildren, and 6 step grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 7, 2010 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wausau. Rev. John Meachen and Rev. Nancy Russell will officiate. Entombment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park with full military rites performed by the American Legion. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and again Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Neighbor's Place Food Pantry, 745 Scott St., Wausau, 54403 or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 930 Edgewood Rd., Wausau, 54403.

"Work and pray for an increased number of seminarians in the future."

"Those who live in the hearts of others never die."