Freda Esther Kraft

Freda Esther Kraft was born March 2, 1915, in Arnold, Nebraska, to Stephen Frank and Bethel Augusta (Harvey) Ervin. She passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2014, in Whittier, California, following a short illness. She was 98 years old.



Freda spent most of her childhood in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The daughter of a successful dairy farmer, every few years he would take a year or so away from the farm and the family would 'move' to California for that time. Freda thus 'lived' in both northern and southern California during her youth, but Scottsbluff was always 'home.'



In her young adulthood, Freda met the boy across their country road, Fred Kraft. They friendship blossomed into love, and they were married in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, in 1938. They initially moved to Lodi, California, where they lived for a couple of years. 'Home' beckoned, though, and they returned to Scottsbluff. There they had and raised their two children, Richard and Deborah. She loved her children and her grandchildren very much!



Known for her engaging smile, Freda was loved by those who knew her. Games were among Freda's favorite pasttimes. Monopoly and Rummikub were among her favorites. She won so often that she would joke about being kicked out of her game group at the retirement community in which she lived. She also enjoyed dancing in her younger years. Her faith was also an important part of Freda's life, and she was a member of First United Methodist Church in Whittier.



She is survived by her children, Richard (Judy) Kraft, and Deborah Tobias; 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.