Leslie Kaskinen Obituary

Leslie J. Kaskinen,  86, of Bellaire, passed away on February 19, 2021 at Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin, TX.

He was born on May 19, 1934, in Manistee, MI, the son of John and Saimi (Hagelberg) Kaskinen.

Les was raised in Kaleva, MI and went on to serve in the Army National Guard in the late 50’s.   

His life revolved around his family and work.   He owned and operated Leslie Leasing in Bellaire for many years as well as multiple other companies from Bellaire to Kaleva and in between. He held memberships at  Bethany Lutheran Church in Kaleva, Hope Lutheran Church in Bellaire, Lions Club in both Kaleva and Bellaire as well as the Chevrolet Dealer Counsel.    He and Jean loved to travel and covered most of the world in their 64 years of marriage.

On March 3, 1956, in Onekama, MI, he married Norma “Jean” Fredericks who survives.

Also surviving are 2 children, Rhonda (Lloyd) Williams of Hemphill, TX, Brent Kaskinen of Bellaire, a brother Arlie (Doris) Kaskinen of Bear Lake, MI, 2 step-grandchildren, Justin (Sandy) Williams of AL, Alex Williams of AL, and a step-great-great grandson Lonnie Williams.

He was preceded in death by a son Mark Leslie Kaskinen, a sister Ila Wuorinen, Brother Norman Kaskinen and his parents.

Visitation will be on Monday, March 1, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

Funeral services will be private at the Hope Lutheran Church in Bellaire with Pastor Wade Seaver officiating.

Burial will take place later in the spring when weather permits at Maple Grove Cemetery in Kaleva.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Hope Lutheran Church, PO BOX 160, Bellaire, MI,  49615.

Arrangements are being handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

Online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.

The above obituary is for my Uncle Les. He was married to the youngest sister, Norma "Jeannie" of my mother. He split his time between Central Lake, Michigan and Texas, where his daughter, Rhonda, lived. He became ill in the Winter of 2021 and never recovered. Rest in Peace, Uncle Les.

Fredricks Family Memories: Part 2

Last month, I introduced a new series of blog posts called Fredricks Family Memories. Four of the five aunts and uncles completed the questionnaire I sent that is used for this series.  Since then I have been to one family event and I think this was well received.  It opened up topics of conversation when I saw them and best of all-they all know I love to hear their stories.

Question 2: Who is the oldest relative you remember as a child?  What do you remember?

• Aunt Lola: I remember Grandpa Fredrick had a big beard.  Aunt Lola is the only relative alive who remembers her grandfather, Johann August Fredrick. 
• Uncle Richard: Grandma Fredricks made us kids hot biscuits with butter and jam on them. Grandma Fredricks is Louise Zastrow Fredricks and us kids would be the children of Otto and Daisy Fredricks.
• Audrey, my mother: My Grandma Fredricks, I went to Grand Rapids to the Bruce house for Thanksgiving once and I remember she was upstairs in her room and she didn't come down for dinner.  Her meal was taken up to her.  I went up and talked to her. Grandma Fredricks is Louise Zastrow Fredricks, the Bruce house was the home of Louise's daughter Mary Fredricks Bruce.
• Aunt Jeannie: Aunt Gusty and Uncle Herman. They came to the farm and drank beer. Aunt Gusty and Uncle Herman are Augusta 'Gusty' and Herman Breen, they lived in Manistee, Michigan most of the time.  The farm would be Otto and Daisy Fredricks farm.  Gusty was Otto's sister.

This question is one that would have been better asked in person.  I could follow up on it and maybe draw more stories out about them.  All of the sharing my aunts and uncles have done has been awesome and I appreciate it.  I enjoy hearing from the aunts and uncles individually and seeing what memory they hold of their older relatives.  This exercise has prompted me to start writing down my memories and to answer the same questions.