Frieda Strefling

Our most loving, caring and giving Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Friend, Frieda Alice Strefling went home to live forever with our Heavenly Father on March 7, 2012 at the age of 95

Frieda was born on July 26, 1916 the daughter of Adolph F. And Bertha (Letke) Busse Sr., in Bridgman, Michigan. She graduated from Bridgman High School in 1933, then attended Berrien County Normal receiving her teaching certificate degree in 1934. She taught at Hand School in Berrien Springs, MI from 1934-1935, and the California School in Bridgman, MI from 1935-1939.

She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bridgman.

On October 22, 1938, she married Walter H. Strefling at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sawyer, MI. They were married for 63 years until his death on October 26, 2001. Together they had five children; Delora (Claude) Snider of Bridgman, Roy (Barbara) Strefling of Berrien Springs, Linda (Art) King of Three Oaks, Ronald Strefling of Baroda and Lorene (Gerald) Schlutt of Baroda. Her Grandchildren include Laura (Mark) Sprenger, Scott Hadley, Janna Zehm, Kristi (Matt) Fleisher, Steven (Andria) King, Mark (Chris) Schlutt, Jason (Jorrine) Schlutt, Jeff (Nicole) Schlutt, Lori Couchman, Rion Strefling, Angela (Jeff) Loeffler, Vincent Strefling, David Anstey, Jane Anstey and Suzane (Jack) Steel, twenty Great Grandchildren and three Great Great Grandchildren.

Frieda was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sawyer since 1938. There she was a Sunday School Teacher, Past President of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and the Valpo Guild. Frieda and Walter were also members of Trinity’s Couples Club and the Dart Ball Team. In 1938 Frieda and Walter founded the Strefling Oil Company, Inc., and operated it until 2001.

Frieda was blessed with a sharp, clear mind to the very end of her journey here on earth. Although her eye sight had diminished over the years, she still enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and TV game shows. She never forgot to send a birthday card. She especially enjoyed polka music and the TV Mollie B Polka Party. Frieda will forever be missed by all those who loved her. We were truly blessed to have her in our lives.

Frieda is survived by a sister, Ruth Dinges of Bridgman, a special Sister-in-law Violet Hartline of Stevensville, and many nieces and nephews. Those preceding her were her parents, husband Walter in 2001, sister Anna Kaschube, brother Adolph Busse Jr., grandson David Strefling, daughters-in-law Donna Strefling and Linda Strefling.

Services for Frieda will be held on Monday, March 12, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5791 Sawyer Road, Sawyer at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel in Bridgman, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tape Ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sawyer, Hospice at Home or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Visitation

2-5 PM ,Sunday, March 11, 2012
Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel
9191 Red Arrow Hwy Bridgman, MI 49106

Funeral Service

11 AM ,Monday, March 12, 2012
Trinity Lutheran Church - Sawyer
5791 Sawyer Road Sawyer, Michigan, MI 49125

Commital Service

Monday, March 12, 2012
New Troy Cemetery
Weechik Road New Troy, MI 49119