Obituary of Freda Irene Heuer

    Freda Irene Heuer, the second daughter of John and Charlotte (Wink) Johnson, was born May 3, 1919 in Hartley, Iowa. She grew up on a farm northeast of Hartley, along with her sisters, Leona and Helen, receiving her education through the local rural schools. With her father’s illness, Freda’s help with the daily farm work became a necessity.

    While attending a dance in Hartley, Freda met a young gentleman by the name of Everett Heuer. They were united in marriage on August 27, 1938 in Hartley. Five daughters were born to this union: Irene, Judy, Barbara, Beverly, and Lucinda.

    The couple began their life together on the Heuer family farm near Ocheyedan, Iowa. Following the sale of the farm, Everett, Freda and their family relocated to Ft. Morgan, CO where they lived for two years. Missing home and family, they decided to move back to Hartley where they purchased and operated the Hartley Feed Mill.

    Freda’s days were always full; caring for her growing family and making sure their house was a warm, safe place her husband and children could come home to. When her daughters had graduated from Hartley High School and began creating homes of their own, Freda discovered she had extra time on her hands. She found employment at the Hartley Bakery, the Hartley Nursing Home, and helped Everett out at Barb’s Corner near Everly, IA until his death in September of 1966. Wanting something close to home, Freda began working at the Hartley Hospital in the dietary department; a position she held for the next 25 years, retiring at the age of 75.

     When it became time to take life a little easier, Freda, now 84, left her home in Hartley and moved to Riverview Terrace at Spencer, IA. She lived there for seven years before becoming a resident of St. Luke Lutheran Home,  also in Spencer.

   Through the years, Freda enjoyed handwork; working on craft items and doing latch-hook projects. Visits from friends, her children and grandchildren were always a highlight. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley, participating in the Ladies Aid, and had been confirmed as an adult at St. John’s Lutheran in May City, IA.  

    Freda passed from this life on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at the age of 99 years. Preceding her in death were her husband, Everett; daughter, Lucinda; son-in-law, Jerry Heetland; grandson, Tim Skinner; granddaughter-in-law, Roseann Polson; great-granddaughter, Janelle Polson; her parents, John and Charlotte Johnson; and sisters: Leona Meier and Helen Remmers.

    Thankful for having shared her life are her children: Irene (Otto) Polson of Everly, IA, Judy (Dave) Humphries of Tulsa, OK, Barb Heetland of Milford, IA, and Bev (Dean) Skinner of Spencer, IA; 10 grandchildren: Perry Polson, Kelly (Pam) Polson, Mark (Debbie) Polson, Jenny (Craig) Nordhousen, Kathy (John) Fronczak, Cindy (Doug) Schmitz, Jay (Sadie) Heetland, Scott (Tammy) Heetland, Lindy (Mark) Herda, and Brenda Moranville; 23 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.