Fred and DeLoris Doederlein at a Veterans Stand Down held at Camp Algonquin.

I think it was in a special election in 1969 when I met Fred Doederlein.

Doederlein was the owner of Doederlein Lumber in East Dundee and a Township Trustee.

He was contesting with fellow Dundee Township resident R. Bruce Waddell, McHenry’s Tom Davis (whom I supported) and several others for the seat made vacant by a motor cycle accident that killed incumbent Jack Hill of the nursery named after him.

It was a very low turnout election with nothing else on the ballot which Waddell won.

When State Rep. Jill Zwick, one of the two people who won State Rep. seats the year I decided to run unsuccessfully for Congress (the other was Dick Klemm), suddenly announced her retirement with her husband Mort quickly picking up the mantel, DeLoris Doederlein was the one immediately ready to seek the same office.

She won with Jack Schaffer and I writing a joint letter in her support.

DeLoris’ bold campaign resulted in victory.

After the primary Jill saw me in Springfield and said something to the effect, “You guys (in McHenry County) really can put a a full press when you want to.”

“I never got the feeling you really wanted Mort to win,” I replied.  I believe the two were divorced by that time. (Mort is now a Chicago judge elected as a Democrat. Jill works for Jesse White and last ran for office, Kane County Board as a Democrat.)

Fred showed me his gun collection during the campaign.  It included a Thompson Machine Gun for which he had to get a special permit from the Federal government.

In any event, Fred accompanied his State Rep. wife everywhere.

While he was in office and after she retired.

They vacationed all over the world, but kept local ties as the photo above at Camp Algonquin Veterans Stand Down shows.

Visitation will be held Friday, Sept. 30, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in East Dundee on Route 72 from 4 to 8 PM.

The funeral is this coming Saturday after a visitation starting at 10 AM.

The obituary follows:

Frederic E. “Fred” Doederlein of East Dundee Frederic E. “Fred” Doederlein, 84, passed away on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, at his home surrounded by family.

Fred was born on April 3, 1927, in Elgin. He was the son of the late Walter and Charlotte (nee Sylvester) Doederlein.

Fred was a lifelong resident of East Dundee.

He was a 1945 graduate of Dundee Community High School and a 1951 graduate of Valparaiso University, having earned a bachelor’s degree in business law.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the U.S.S. DeHaven.

Fred was a life member and past commander of Tri-Cities Evergreen VFW Post #2298 and a member of the Carpentersville American Legion.

He was a lifelong and active member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in West Dundee.

Fred was owner and operator of Fred Doederlein Lumber and Fred Doederlein Enterprises.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, DeLoris, whom he married July 17, 1953, and their children, Mark (Karen) Cole, Dr. Stephen (Bobbi Jo) Rittmann, Robert (Susie) Rittmann, Martha (Scott) Lehman and Carol Hardt.

Fred is also survived by nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his sister, Kate (Jim Bernhardt) Counsell; sister-in-law, Gloria Doederlein; as well as many nieces, nephews, and countless good and faithful friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ted.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 11 a.m. in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St., West Dundee, with Frank Hewitt officiating. Burial will follow with military honors in the Dundee Township East Cemetery, East Dundee.

Visitation will be held Friday, Sept. 30, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church from 4 to 8 p.m., and again on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, The USS DeHaven Scholarship Fund or the Valparaiso University Guild. The Miller Funeral Home, West Dundee is assisting the family with all arrangements.