History
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Wendell and Bernice “Bunny” Frederickson purchased the neglected harbor and land in 1972. They worked and
played hard at their new marina while commuting every weekend from the Twin
Cities. Every vacation and weekend for six consecutive years were spent
building, renovating and dreaming about Mille Lacs Lake. Eventually the dream
became reality and they moved to Wahkon in 1978.
Building a home, pouring concrete walkways and driveways, shoring up marina
walls, punching holes in the ice, and hand-pounding posts into the harbor lake
bed to secure marina roof posts for building new slips were just some of their
many projects at the marina. Wendell always liked to have a project going. He
said it gave him a reason to get up in the morning. Most tasks had an element
of fun in them.
Wendell created a pedestrian lift bridge which allowed for a full walk around the Marina, while
at the same time, allowed sailboats to access
Wendell created a pedestrian lift bridge which allowed for a full walk around the Marina, while
at the same time, allowed sailboats to access
Wendell & Bunny
The Chip Frederickson family
the marina harbor. His fire pole that offered "quick jump" access from the
home's upper level to lake level to accommodate customers in a timely fashion
are among some of his inventions. Portions of their original home remain part
of Chip and Roxanne’s marina home. Over the years Wendell and Bunny became very involved in the
Wahkon community. They joined the Presbyterian church where a stained glass
window commemorates their love of the church. Both were very active in the
Wahkon Civic Association, promoting the town and the area to tourists and
residents with the annual parade and Rock On In Wahkon Days.
Wendell became a popular mayor of Wahkon and served for 13 years. He was also an
active member of the Wahkon fire department.
Bunny died in 1984 and Wendell in 2000. Their son, Gary and grandson Chip
continue the family tradition. They have finish remodeling the Marina and
updating the boat slips in 2005, created The Launch Center in 2006 and are currently pursuing their Meshigun Point townhome project. We think Wendell and Bunny would be pleased to know the legacy continues.
