Mary Ellen Fedderke

Mary Ellen Fedderke, 87, of Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, passed away on March 18, 2025, at home surrounded by family. She was born in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, on November 23, 1937, to Eldor and Leona (Norden) Helmke. She was baptized on December 5, 1937, and confirmed on March 18, 1951, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio. On May 10, 1958, she married Henry James (Jim) Fedderke at St. Peter. Mary Ellen graduated from Ridgeville High School, where she participated in the choir and played saxophone in the band. Mary Ellen obtained her diploma nursing degree from Toledo Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a Registered Nurse briefly at Napoleon hospital and Campbell Soup. Mary Ellen spent 40 years of her nursing career in Wauseon, Ohio. She started at Detwiler Memorial Hospital. She was involved in the move to the new hospital, FCHC, where she finished her career. Mary Ellen held the position of evening supervisor and was well loved and respected in that position. She was a hard worker, always giving support to her staff. They were her family and she loved them all. Mary Ellen was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, which kept her very busy. She raised four children while working full time. She volunteered at her church and managed large vegetable and flower gardens which gave her much joy. Mary Ellen and Jim enjoyed years in a Pinochle card club with many of their closest friends. She prepared many meals for frequent family get-togethers and was involved in all her children’s lives and activities. Mary Ellen genuinely loved everyone she met, and so many people loved and respected her. Above all, she loved the Lord with her whole heart and truly walked in His ways. Together with her husband, Jim, they raised four children to also know and love Jesus. Mary Ellen joined Bethlehem Lutheran Church Ridge Road after getting married and later rejoined St. Peter. At St. Peter, she was President of the Women of the Church and a member of the Ladies Aid Society where she sewed blankets for missions. She also participated on cleaning teams, funeral committee, and taught Sunday school for many years. She later joined Zion Lutheran Church in Ridgeville Corners where she was in the Woman of the Church, and served on the funeral and cleaning committees. Mary Ellen loved to sing and was a member of church choirs at Bethlehem, St. Peter and Zion. Mary Ellen loved to travel, which began in her childhood as she traveled to different places in the United States with her parents and sister, Darlene. With her husband, Jim, children, a camper, and a Rand McNally atlas, the traveling continued. Every summer, vacations were planned. Throughout the children’s school years, the family visited every state in the lower 48, and many of the Canadian Providences. Mary Ellen’s father built a small cottage on Grand Lake in Michigan, starting a life time of family memories of fishing, swimming, and playing cards. The family continues to vacation there. Mary Ellen also loved the fall and winter. Many trips were taken to northern Michigan to view the beautiful fall colors and for family time around campfires. Mary Ellen enjoyed snowmobiling with the family and spent many vacations at Houghton Lake and the Michigan Upper Peninsula. She loved the beauty of a snowfall. Mary Ellen’s greatest joy in life was being surrounded by family. She enjoyed full-time babysitting for her grandchildren and then her great grandchildren, which she continued into her 80’s. Mary Ellen loved that her home was a gathering place for impromptu family parties and card playing, which she loved to host. Proverbs 31: 28-29, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Mary Ellen is survived by her children, Deb Fedderke, Sandy (Ric) Andres, Jeff Fedderke, and Michael (Wendy) Fedderke; grandchildren, Ryan (Brittany) Robertson, Jamie (Tom) Kerr, Tyler Andres (Carly), Logan (Hannah) Andres, Zachary Fedderke, Spencer Fedderke, and Jordyn Fedderke; great grandchildren, Easton, Addison, Zaylee, Reese, Kensley, and Jameson; brother-in-law Bill Myers, and sisters-in-law, Judy Fedderke and Marilyn Thomas. A visitation for Mary Ellen will be held on Sunday, March 23, from 4PM until 7PM at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon. Services will be held on Monday, March 24, at Zion Lutheran Church, Ridgeville at 11AM, with an hour of visitation prior to services. Interment will follow services at St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made out to Zion Lutheran Church, Ridgeville Fire Department, or CHP Home Care & Hospice. Online condolences may also be left with the family at www.rodenbergergray.com.

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Mary Ellen Fedderke

November 23, 1937 - March 18, 2025