Good-bye Mr. Bredell

Donald Ernest Bredell, age 82, a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died on Friday, February 3, 2006 at Pelican Valley Nursing Home in Pelican Rapids, under the care of Lakeland Hospice, surrounded by his family and Pastor Jen.

Don was born February 10, 1923 in Grand Forks, ND, the son of Emil and Christine (Shornack) Bredell. The family moved to Fargo when he was 3. He attended Lincoln school, Horace Mann, Roosevelt and Fargo Central High School and graduated from there in 1941. He played hockey at Central.

Don enlisted in Pilot Training in the US Air Force after high school. He received his wings in 1943. He was a B-26 pilot and flew 53 bomb missions over France and Germany in World War II. Don received several medals: Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for a volunteer mission in the Battle of the Bulge during terrible weather, Air Medal 9 times, and European Theater Ribbon with 4 Presidential Citations. He had a crash landing just over the bomb line into friendly territory. He was discharged in 1945.

Don married Doris Headland in Fargo on February 1, 1946. They were married 60 years. He then attended NDSU and received his Bachelor Degree in Education and also his Masters Degree in Education, and later, his Specialist Degree in Education. Don also started the first Hockey Team at NDSU. He played semi-professional hockey on a Crookston, MN, team while in school. He played running back, defensive back and punter with the NDSU Bison.

His first teaching position was in Barnesville, MN, where he taught math and coached football. Don and Doris moved back to Fargo in 1952 where he taught math and coached football and hockey in Fargo Central and later became Dean of boys. When North High opened he was vice principal and later, principal in Rogers High School in Puyallup, WA. They missed the lakes area in Minnesota and Don became principal at Pelican Rapids in 1969 and retired June 1, 1986.

Don enjoyed playing fast pitch softball, playing on the Nassif Rug team for many years and winning many tournaments. He also enjoyed golfing with his friends. Don and Doris enjoyed spending time at their lake home. They spent their winters in Sun City, AZ. He was a long time member of Rotary, VFW Post #5252 and American Legion, all of Pelican Rapids. He was also a member of the First Congregational Church in Pelican Rapids.

Don is survived by his wife: Doris of Pelican Rapids; 2 sons: Danny (Kristi) of Fargo, and Randy (Britt) of Charlotte, NC; 2 daughters: Jill Osman of Pelican Rapids and Bonnie Bredell of Fargo; 7 grandchildren: Brad (Michelle), Libby, Brady, Haven, Tyler, Jordan and Jacob; and 2 great-grandchildren: Abbey and Connor. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister: Alice.

Memorials may be given to Lakeland Hospice of Fergus Falls, Roger Maris Cancer Center, and First Congregational Church of Pelican Rapids.Visitation: Monday, February 6, 2006 from 4 – 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids. Visitation resumes one hour prior to the service at the church.

Service: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at the First Congregational Church, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
Clergy: Pastor Jen Sandstrom
Military Honors: V.F.W. Post #5252, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
Burial: Ringsaker Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
Funeral Home: Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota

(Former PRHS students/faculty who care to send condolences to the family or remember him on this blog can do so using the comment button below. 56572 will forward them to the family. Smailmail is 120 8th St SE, Pelican Rapids)