Calman L. Bredman, 99, of Ada, MN, passed away in Benedictine Living Community Ada late Wednesday evening, November 8, 2023. He had recently moved to the long-term care facility from Mission Court Assisted Living.
Cal, as he was known throughout his life, was born on October 6, 1924, at Twin Valley, MN, the fifth of six children of the union of Carl and Tilla (Thompson) Bredman. While growing up on the family farm in Wild Rice Township he was baptized and confirmed in Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, and graduated from Twin Valley High School with the Class of 1941. He spent the next year plus working for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Boundary Waters area of northeastern Minnesota. On April 20, 1943, Cal enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following basic training in San Diego, CA, he shipped out with the Fleet Marine Force on the USS Birmingham to the Pacific Theater of Operations. In May of 1945, he was wounded in action at Okinawa and sent by hospital ship to a military hospital in Guam. After a long period of recovery, he returned to action until his honorable discharge on December 31, 1945. For his service to his country, Cal was awarded the Purple Heart, the Pacific Theater Defense Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.
He returned to Twin Valley and then moved to Ada, where he began working for the Norman County Highway Department. He was united in marriage to A. Luverne Erickson of Twin Valley on June 1, 1947, at Zion Lutheran. They made their home in Ada and soon welcomed son, James, and daughter, Karen, as they became a family. In 1948 Cal began employment with Sjordal Hardware, primarily selling and servicing appliances, and installing linoleum and carpeting. In 1982, he purchased the local Sears Catalog Store and operated the business until retiring in 1992. In semi-retirement, Cal drove for Kelly’s Chrysler, picking up and delivering vehicles while sometimes making several trips a month to the Twin Cities. He enjoyed everyone he worked with at the dealership and the customers he often came in contact with. Cal became a fixture at the Ada Car Dealers new model showings every fall at the Fairgrounds. Schmoozing and making popcorn and hot dogs became his specialty as he and Luverne served many hundreds of visitors. Age finally caught up with Cal in 2007 and he reluctantly hung it up on his 83rd birthday.
Cal was a member of Grace Lutheran Church for over 77 years and served on several boards and committees. He was a charter member of the Ada Toastmasters Club and Heart of the Valley Golf Club, and held longtime memberships with the Ada Jaycees and Chamber of Commerce. His faith and family were of utmost importance in his life. The flag under which he so proudly served gave his early life purpose and his patriotism and love for his country carried over to his life membership in the Ada VFW and as Past Commander of American Legion Post 0026. He was one of the staunch promoters a few years ago in securing the name, Veterans Memorial Highway, for Hwy 200 which runs through Ada. For several years he coordinated Military Honors to honor fallen brothers-in-arms at their funerals. Now that function falls to close family friend and US Army veteran, Craig Larson, who will be presenting his flag.
Cal’s knowledge of carpentry, and electrical and plumbing systems were invaluable in helping out his kids with their occasional needs. He enjoyed visiting with friends over a cup of coffee and shaking dice for quarters. He’d talk with anyone who came into his orbit, and he was always willing to share an opinion. If you didn’t agree he didn’t care, he’d try to convince you he was right.
Sadly, Luverne, passed away on October 30, 2019, and he continued to miss her every day. Cal is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Rose Bredman of Crookston, MN; daughter, Karen Busche of Fargo, ND; 5 grandchildren: Tami and Phil Miller of Park Rapids, MN, Jenny and Brad Carlstrom of Crookston, Mike and Shonna Myers, Steve Myers, and Becky Myers, all of Fargo; great-grandchildren: Peyton and Austin Sommerfeld of Duluth, MN, Keifer and Samantha Miller of Roseville, MN; Teagen Carlstrom and Tyler Smith of Bloomington, MN, and Anya Myers of Fargo; sister, Delores Varvel of Modesto, CA; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
In additional to Luverne, his beloved wife of 73 years, Cal was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Dale Busche, who died on February 17, 2016; great-grandson, Beau Donald Miller, who died on March 5, 1997; parents, Carl and Tilla Bredman; parents-in-law, Oscar and Ada Erickson; 4 brothers: Clarence (Margaret), Milton (Mildred), Clifford (Joyce), and Morris (Gladys); and from Luverne’s side of the family 10 siblings: Leonard, Lester, Oscar, Laurel, Lorraine, Lourena, Lila, Nellie, Leola, and Nina.
Blessed be the memory of Calman “Cal” Bredman.
A Memorial Service honoring Cal’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 20, 2023, in Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN, with The Rev. Jack Carlson, officiating. Visitation with the family will be for one hour prior to the service. The memorial service will be live-streamed by going to Cal’s obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view. Inurnment will be in the Ada Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Ada American Legion Post and US Marine Corps Funeral Honors Team from Wahpeton, ND. The Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, Crookston, and Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Home, Ada, are assisting with funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of the Red River Valley in Fargo, Mission Court/Benedictine Living Community Ada, Grace Lutheran Church, or any cause near and dear to your heart.
