Claire Fredericksen, right, chats with one of her student gymnasts in the gym of St. George’s school.

Claire black and white

Claire Fredericksen was a private woman who did big things.

She echewed the limelight and hated having her picture taken, preferring to lift up others instead, said family and friends.

During her life Claire worked with the Peace Corps, taught senior citizens how to tap dance and founded the Southport Scamps a Kenosha gymnastics program that gained national recognition.

“She gave those girls confidence, and taught them responsibility,” said Linda Elsen, longtime friend and the parent of two Scamps members. “She kept them off the streets and safe, and best of all she taught them how to have fun and enjoy their life and friends.”

“Without her, I would not have gotten to feel the closest thing to flying,” said Cara Elsen, Linda’s daughter. “I also wouldn’t be doing cartwheels with my own daughters!”

“One of the most striking abilities Claire possessed was her power of focus and the energy she brought to the projects she undertook,” said her brother, Kevin Fredericksen.

On Sept. 3 at age 73, Claire Marie Fredericksen died, a few weeks after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. She is survived by her sisters, Donna (John) Belitza, Christine (John), Kozel, and Joan (Dale) Madsen; brothers, Paul (Arlene) Fredericksen, Kevin Fredericksen, Ray Fredericksen and Todd (Nell) Fredericksen; 17 nieces and nephews.

Peace Corps, ballet

Claire was born Feb. 19, 1945, at St. Catherine’s Hospital. She was the fourth child born of 10 children born to Simon and Lillian Fredericksen. She attended St. George Grade School and St. Joseph High School.

In 1967 she graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in education. She then joined the Peace Corps and served in Turkey.

Back in the states, Claire moved to New York City where she taught at St. Henry’s parochial school and learned ballet.

Returning to Kenosha in 1973, Claire began teaching at St. George Catholic School, 4816 Seventh Ave.

She went the extra mile to bond with students, recalls Jodie Elsen, Cara’s sister. “She was my fourth-grade teacher. In the winter she would set up a little hot cocoa station in the back of the classroom. She was my inspiration to become a teacher!”

At the time, the school did not offer a gym class, so Claire took it upon herself to teach the girls ballet. Linda says that Claire soon realized that the girls were often “more on their heads than their feet” so Claire got some books on gymnastics and taught the girls gymnastics instead.

Scamps grows

To raise money for equipment like a beam and tumbling mats, she and the girls sold light bulbs and doughnuts, recalled Linda.

When the gymnastics classes outgrew the gym at St. George, Claire moved the group to Red’s Roller Rink in downtown Kenosha and the Kenosha Armory on 30th Avenue and 38th Street.

According to Linda, a student came up with the name “Southport Scamps” in recognition of Kenosha’s early roots, and soon Claire began to enter the girls in gymnastic meets. Over the years, the troupe took state and national gymnastic titles, put on shows and marched in Kenosha parades.

In 1980, they traveled to Mexico City on a goodwill tour.

Then, an RN

After 15 successful years with the Scamps, she handed off her leadership role and began studying to become a registered nurse at Alverno College.

“I have never known anyone with the ability to concentrate on a subject for so long with little or no sleep, as she often did when studying for upcoming tests,” Kevin said.

When Claire graduated from Alverno, she went to work at healthcare facilities in Kenosha.

Following the death of her father in 1987, Claire took care of her mother, attending to her medical needs while working the night shift at a nursing home.

After her mother died in 2001, Claire moved to Michigan where she worked as a nurse.

Taught tap dancing

to senior citizens

In her spare time, she taught tap dancing to senior citizens, who performed routines while sitting in chairs. According to Linda, Claire purchased pairs of tap shoes using her own money and helped them put on recitals.

Returning to Kenosha, Claire worked as as hospice nurse from 2008 until she retired in 2016.

Claire’s giving spirit was what stands out most for her former students.

Said Jodie: “I thank her for the countless hours, days, years she dedicated to us, not only in gymnastics coaching but in empowering us with the confidence and skills to be successful in life.”

Wrote Cara, “Without her ... part of me would not be me ... She taught us respect, patience, trust, truthfulness, determination and that life should also be fun"

http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/a-life-remembered-claire-fredericksen-tutus-tights-and-learning-to/article_ba3d808c-81c7-500b-aff7-98ebb36380a8.