Duane Fredrickson Night at Memorial Field in Wanamingo

Duane Fredrickson was the manager of the Kenyon-Wanamingo Legion baseball team for 22 years.

He was always upbeat. I never saw him without a smile on his face, and when he was passionate about something you would get every ounce of his energy involved in it.

Fredrickson was passionate about baseball, tractors, gardening and raising Shelties.

He was born in Blooming Prairie and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After marriage to Irene in Dodge Center, they lived in the Twin Cities and Claremont before purchasing a farm in rural Kenyon in 1958.

After milking cows for seven years, Fredrickson settled on raising beef cattle and sold used farm equipment. He was a member of Gol Lutheran Church, American Legion and 40 and 8. Duane and Irene were members of the Steam Engine Club in Dundas and attended tractor shows throughout the state.

Fredrickson died Dec. 28, 2014, and immediately people involved in the Legion Baseball program said they had to have a special event to honor the big guy.

Tonight Cannon Falls plays Kenyon-Wanamingo in League G action and it's Salute to  Duane Fredrickson night. His grandchildren will be there to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and the game will be broadcast on Power 96 Radio 95.9 FM. During the broadcast, I'll be visiting with various people who knew Fredrickson, so bring your radios to Memorial Field in Wanamingo.