Fred Ernest Huisken

Frederick Ernest Huisken was born March 2, 1943, at the family home located at 140 Maple Street in Edgerton, MN. His parents were William (Bill) and Jessie (Schelhaas) Huisken. Fred was the sixth of nine children. His name was picked in honor of his Uncle Fred Huisken and his Uncle Ernie Schelhaas who were both serving in World War II at the time.

Fred was baptized in the Edgerton Protestant Reformed Church. He made profession of faith at the First Christian Reformed Church of Edgerton. Fred attended the Free Christian School, Edgerton Christian Elementary, and Southwest Christian High School.

Fred enjoyed his young days growing up in Edgerton. He helped out at his father’s grocery store. He was able to combine work and fun by delivering groceries in the Cushman Truckster and push snow with the Willys Jeep. He still found time to raise rabbits and chickens. Time was spent swimming at the Rock River Dam and roller skating at the Big Red Barn. Fred enjoyed spending time on the farm with Auntie Gert, and with the Hulstein and Bleyenburg families. The highlight of every summer was always the annual Huisken reunion at Green Lake in Spicer.

After graduation in 1961 Fred started working for his dad and Uncle Hank at Huisken Bros. on Main Street. In the fall of 1962, a new teacher moved to town from Oskaloosa, Iowa and began teaching at ECES. Fred noticed her in church one Sunday morning and the rest is history. Fred married Betty Beekhuizen on November 28, 1963. They lived in an apartment above Huisken Bros. Store for a couple of years before purchasing a large Victorian home on Mechanic Street in Edgerton where they would live for 14 years. With four active young sons they decided to move their family to the country. They purchased 18 acres 4 miles NW of Edgerton and built their new log home. They moved there in 1979, and many memories were made there.

Fred and Betty bought the store on Main Street in 1968 and went into partnership with Uncle Ap Schelhaas. When Ap died suddenly of a heart attack in 1973, Fred’s brother Jim joined the partnership and would continue to work with them for 15 years. It was in 2017 that Fred and Betty decided to close the doors of Huisken Market and Department Store and enjoy retirement. Their grandson Cody and his new bride Courtnie bought the log house and Fred and Betty moved into a condo on Mechanic Street in Edgerton.

Fred was involved in the Cadet Program. He also participated as a mentor for the South Dakota penitentiary. He served on the city council for 7 years and spent many years as an EMT for the Edgerton Ambulance Association. Fred drove school bus for 20 years. He loved the interaction with the kids and enjoyed seeing all the activities of farmers on his rural bus route.

 Fred and Betty enjoyed camping. From their beginnings with a large orange tent to their Shasta travel trailer, they took their family out to see God's creation. Camping took them all across the USA, from Myrtle Beach, SC to San Francisco, CA, and from the forests of northern MN to the beach in Biloxi, MS. There were also many local trips to both Lake Shetek and Yankton. Fred and Betty were also able to travel to Alaska, Africa, Rome, Bahamas, and Cancun.

Fred had a love for fishing along with his dad, his brothers, as well as many friends. From the local lakes, to many excursions at Lake Thompson, as well as planned trips to Lake Savant in Canada to see Cliff and Roma. What started with a thermos full of coffee and a bag of ginger snaps would quickly turn into many fishing memories and stories to tell.

Fred had a real love for people. From the many customers that passed through his store to the friends he would make while on his trips to Africa, all of them had a special place in his heart. This was expanded by the opportunity to sponsor and help settle a Laotian family in Edgerton. From the time Fred and Betty met them at the airport in 1980, they would build a great love and relationship for this family and their culture.

Fred went to be with his Lord on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

Fred will be remembered by his loving wife, Betty. Sons: Tim and Julie of Mankato, MN, and their children Joseph, Nicholas, Kathryn. Phil and Wendy of Edgerton, MN, and their children Brandon and Alyssa along with their children Tatum, Cayson, Charleigh; Brooks; Jake; Jax. Paul of Edgerton, MN. Dan and Dana of Edgerton, MN, and their children Cody and Courtnie, Clayton and Eve, Trey and Olivia. Pong Nonginthirath of Copenhagen, Denmark, and children Liv, Zoe, Evelyn, Vera, Iris. Siblings: Ihla Hooyer of Edgerton, MN Iva and Hein DeBoer of Edgerton, MN Jim and Jan Huisken of Austin, MN Bill Huisken of Edgerton, MN Kathy and Mike Tinklenberg of Edgerton, MN Sister-in-Law:
Trudy Huisken of Rock Valley, IA Fred was preceded in death by his parents, William and Jessie, sisters Marva DeBoer and Leann Huisken, and brother Ben.

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