Freda Olga Schmitke
Born: January 31, 1926 Died: September 04, 1970
Freda was born Jan. 31, 1926 in Rockford, Ill. In 1926, Carl & Alvina moved first to Illinois, then to Michigan, and then back to North Dakota. Freda is spelled ‘Frida’ in family Bible. When Freda was a baby, an uncle would feed her sauerkraut juice. In Sept 1931, as Harold, Agnes, Margaret, and Betty observed from the yard of the farm, Alvina took Freda to her first day of school. The Dagen School was just 1/8 of a mile east of the farm. Down the muddy lane went Alvina & Freda, turned left into the muddy road, across the intersection and left again into the muddy school yard to enter the school. A few minutes later, Alvina left the school and walked back to the road. From the school came a loud wail–Alvina turned around and walked back into the school. A couple of minutes later, Alvina and Freda came out of the school and came home. Freda would wait another year and start school with Harold.
Freda was the oldest, so often looked out for those younger than she. One day, when Harold was about 3 years old, he fell into the horse trough. Freda (and the dog) pulled him out or he would have drowned. When Harold was approximately 7 years old, he once again fell into the horse trough. This time, however, Freda just had a good laugh.
Freda wanted to be a missionary nurse, but was discouraged to do so by her pastor.
On January 6, 1946, Freda married John Varland at the Lutheran parsonage in Stephen, MN. They would eventually have 5 boys and 1 girl. They would live most of their married life in the Morris, IL area. Freda was a gentle and loving person.
Freda died of cancer Sept. 04, 1970. John died April 3, 1999. Freda & John are buried in the cemetery at Morris, IL
