Fredericksen retires from Museum of Danish America

 ELK HORN — Tim Fredericksen has been caring for the Museum of Danish America (MODA) in Elk Horn since it opened in 1994. After decades of maintaining the building and grounds, Fredericksen has announced his retirement.
 “I started there right after it opened,” Fredericksen said. “I did all the cleaning and building maintenance, and for a while I mowed the grounds.”
 When he first joined the staff at MODA, he was also working as a full-time custodian for the school district, where he was employed for 42 years. In addition, he was the manager of the senior housing apartments, assisted with maintenance at the church, and mowed several yards. When he retired from the school 10 years ago, he began working full-time at the Museum.  
 “I’ve stayed busy,” he said.
 Fredericksen credits the staff for his decades-long employment. “John Mark Nielsen was the Executive Director when I started, then he left and we got Tova Brandt. They both are fantastic.”
 “I have had the pleasure of working with Tim for over 15 years at the museum, which is only half of the time that he has dedicated to this space,” Brandt said. “He has always demonstrated his care of the museum, its people, and its visitors.  I am very glad that we can still see Tim regularly as an Elk Horn neighbor and friend.”
 He said he enjoyed working with the Prairie Interns each year, a program which allows college students to spend the summer assisting with maintaining the 30 acres of prairie surrounding the museum. “That was always fun. They were good kids and I enjoyed working with them.”
 Fredericksen said he isn’t sure what retirement will bring, “It will be quite a change for me. I’m used to getting up early every morning and being at the museum by 6:30.”
 “It’s a great place,” he said.