Fred Scheel

Frederick B. Scheel, 90, of Fargo, ND, died Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Elim Care Center, Fargo. Frederick Benedict Scheel, son of Frederick and Mable (Benedict) Scheel, was born January 20, 1921 in Moorhead, MN. He lived in Sabin, MN, his first five years in a house across the street from a general store his father had an interest in. They family moved to Moorhead, MN. Fred went from Grade 1 all through high school in the same brick building on 8th St. S., Moorhead. Fred attended the University of Minnesota for three years. He entered his father’s retail hardware business while studying business at the North Dakota Agricultural College (North Dakota State University). He served as a Navy fighter pilot, flying a Corsair in the South Pacific and in the US Marine Corps from 1942-46, becoming First Lieutenant. He received the Air Medal with two Gold Stars. Fred showed an interest in photography and poetry during his life. He traveled to many areas and foreign countries to take photographs. Fred later published two books, “The Search to See I and II” in conjunction with the exhibitions at the Plains Art Museum, Moorhead, MN, and Minneapolis Institute of Art, MN, and a book of poetry called “Poems and Other Words.” Within a year after leaving the military, Fred entered the retail hardware business with his Dad who had begun with his father 27 years earlier. He married Virginia Joistad on November 16, 1946, in Fargo. Fred and Virginia traveled the world together for 50 years, pursuing possible photographs and enjoying nature and wildlife. Fred was elected Fargo Junior Chamber of Commerce President, Fargo/Moorhead YMCA, Fargo National Bank, Pioneer Mutual Life Insurance Co, co-chairman of the fund drive for the new theater and instructional building and Askanese Hall at NDSU, and delegate to the North Dakota Constitutional Convention. He received the Fargo Chamber of Commerce 2008 Legacy Leader Award. Fred was awarded an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws from NDSU. In 1961 and 69, Fred attended the Ansel Adams Yosemite Photography Workshop and established a new and serious turn in photography. In 1978, he was elected an Advisory Trustee of the Friends of Photography, Carmel, CA, which later moved to San Francisco as the Ansel Adams Center. Fred gave his collection of photographs by master photographers to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. In 1975, Fred purchased a Pitts S-I-S aerobatic plane and began 22 years of aerobatic flying, selling the plane in 1997. Fred became interested in supporting Christian missions as a member of the Global Mission group at First Lutheran Church. He took at trip to Madagascar which resulted in First Lutheran Church building a church to accommodate the many college age people. He also gave considerable support to Park Christian School and Oak Grove. Fred is survived by his wife,Virginia; sons, Steve (Eileen) Scheel, Moorhead, MN; Frank (Carol) Scheel, Richfield, MN; daughter, Rebecca Harrington, Fargo, ND; six grandchildren, Steve (Tiffany) Scheel, Fargo, ND; Brandon (Kim) Scheel, Mankato, MN; Stacy (Matthew) Davis, Detroit Lakes, MN; Christina (Byron) Snider, Fargo, ND; Susanne Scheel, Hollywood, CA; and Jessie (David) Kolness, Fargo, ND; great-grandchildren, Branden, Hunter and Miranda Scheel, all of Fargo, ND; and Megan, Luke and Madelyn Rose Scheel, Mankato, MN; Ruthy and William Davis, Detroit Lakes, MN; Katelyn and Liam Kolness, Fargo, ND; and Charlie Douglas Snider, Fargo, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, James. Funeral Service: Thursday, August 4, 2011, at 1:30 PM, at First Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND.