Freese, Verda Elizabeth (Rix)

Funeral services for Verda Elizabeth (Rix) Freese, 95, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, at the St. John's United Church of Christ in Clarence, Iowa. The services will be conducted by the Rev. Mears. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Friends and family may call from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Chapman Funeral Home in Clarence.

Verda passed away on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011, after an extended struggle with Alzheimer's.

Verda was born on Jan. 7, 1916, to Paul H. and Alma (Goldsmith) Rix of rural Clarence. She graduated from Clarence High School in 1933, and became a “hired girl” for many families. On Nov. 30, 1939, she married Herbert Freese in her parents' home. To this marriage were born three sons, Frederick, Roger and Curtis.

She was an active farmer's wife helping on the farm and raising their sons. She was an active member of many organizations including Partners-in-Study and Clarence Park Boosters. Verda was a lifelong member of St. John's United Church of Christ and was active in Women's Fellowship and Kings Daughters. She enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening, quilting, golfing, dancing and playing cards. She especially took pride in having chocolate chip cookies available whenever her family came to visit and knew where all of the baby kittens were on the farm when the grandchildren came.

She is survived by sons, Fred (Anne) of Waterloo and Curtis (Heather) of Westport, Mass.; daughter-in-law, Mary Freese of Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren, Therese (David) Ostermann of El Centro, Calif., Michelle (Jim) Byard of Cedar Rapids, Brad (Lena) Freese of Tucson, Ariz., Eric (Amanda) Freese of Cedar Rapids, Paul Freese of Cedar Rapids, and Erica Freese of Fort Collins, Colo.; four great-grandchildren, Nathan and Danielle Ostermann, Evan Roger Freese, and Eleanor Kristine Freese; a brother, Lester (Ruth) Rix of Olin; a sister, Arlene (Bricen) Krafock of Clarence; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Herb in 1996; her son, Roger in 2003; and her sister, Elna Graf in 2007.

Memorials may be donated to St. John's United Church of Christ, Alzheimer's Association or St. Luke's Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to .