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Sunday, February 8, 2026
Wanda Mae Kremer
Age: 83
City: Central City
Funeral Home
Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Wanda Mae Kremer
Wanda Mae Kremer
Central City
Wanda Mae Kremer, 83, of Central City, Iowa, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, at her daughter’s home. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Central City American Legion. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Mt. Clark Cemetery in Central City, Iowa.
Wanda was born on July 21, 1942, in Alburnett, Iowa, the daughter of Harold and Leila (Wright) Wood. In August of 1971, Wanda met the love of her life, Orland Dean Frieden in Alburnett. Wanda worked as a bartender and for Rockwell Collins for a time before her employment with Aramark Food Service, until her retirement in 2004.
In her younger days, Wanda was an exceptional softball pitcher, displaying talent on the field and a spirit of determination that would continue throughout her life. An avid lover of the outdoors, Wanda found joy in fishing, mushroom hunting, and participating in wild game feeds, connecting her deeply to nature. She was also a member of a ceramics club in Central City. In addition to her many talents, Wanda was a prolific cook whose culinary skills will be remembered fondly by her family, especially her chicken and noodles and brownies.
Family held an incredibly special place in Wanda's heart. She was devoted to spending quality time with her loved ones, always prioritizing family gatherings and activities. Her grandchildren were particularly important to her, and she took great joy in attending their events, cheering them on and sharing in their accomplishments.
Wanda is survived and lovingly remembered by her significant other, Orland Frieden; five children, Larry Bell, Terry (Paula) Bell, Brad (Brenda) Frieden, Gary (Debbra) Bell, and Derrie (Don) Rawson; 14 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Cho Wood, Jan Wood, Ruth Wood, and Marlys Bennett; and one brother-in-law, Jeff Colehour.
She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, James “Jim” Wright; daughter, Colleen Frieden; son, Gregg Frieden; three brothers, Tom, Wayne, and Harold Wood; sister, Darla Colehour; and her in-laws, Orville (Beryl) Frieden.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Above and Beyond Hospice of Monticello for the excellent care they gave Wanda.
Memorials in Wanda’s memory may be directed to the family.
Please share a memory of Wanda at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

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