Freida Louise Clark Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Springtime journey to heaven, Freida Louise Clark of Cadillac passed away Thursday evening, April 12, 2012 at her daughter\'s home in Cadillac with her family by her side. Freida was born March 9, 1922 in South Boardman to Elton and Joyce (Roundsville) Neihardt. She attended schools in South Boardman, Evart and graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1941. She married Joseph Clark March 13, 1942 in Kalkaska, shortly after their marriage Joe was off to serve his country during WWII. Frieda moved to Cadillac and went to work at the B.F. Goodrich plant making airplane parts for the war effort. After Joe returned from Europe, he and Freida settled into the â€œSixth Street Houseâ€ and expanded their family. Like most families in the 1940s-50s, Freida was a housewife, staying home with the children. Freida began working at Mercy Hospital in 1959 and retired in 1987. She loved working at Mercy and meeting people while working. She attended the Salvation Army Chapel and also volunteered at the Red Shield for more than 40 years. She enjoyed sewing quilts, dolls, stuffed animals and doll cloths. Every member of the family has at least one hand sewn quilt and the Red Shield Store has been stocked with the hand crafted items made by Freida for years. Her greatest pastime was undoubtedly talking, if you knew her you would agree! After their retirement, Joe and Freida spent their winters in Brooksville, Florida, where they met and enjoyed couples from many states. Everyone has a favorite memory of Freida. In the mid-1960s Freida had every Thursday off. She spent the morning baking cinnamon rolls and making bean soup around noon, cars of hungry high school kids with three of her children and their friends would arrive at â€œClark\'sâ€ for hot cinnamon rolls and bean soup. In the 1970s through the 1990s Freida kept herself occupied with work, volunteering, sewing and gardening and being a grandmother. She and Joe were active members of the Cadillac Rolling Relics. Joe passed away on July 14, 2006 in their 65th year of marriage. Freida is survived by six children: Ron (Mary) Neihardt of Cadillac, Gary (Sharon) Clark of Brooksville, Florida, R. Robert (Cindy) Clark of Freeland, Dennis (Nancy) Clark of New Symra Beach, Florida, Juanita (Tim) Philo of Cadillac and David (Mary) Clark of Traverse City; seventeen grandchildren: Rhonda (Jack) Duncan, Cathy Davis, Kelly (Kevin) Johnston, Merry (Cole) Dickerson, Kurt (Rebecca) Clark, Laura (Dave) Sisco, Cheri Clark, Tyler Clark, Michelle (Jerry) Burke, Melissa (Mark) Sisson, Beth (John) Calvo, Angie (Marc) Evans, Kerry (Peter) Philo-Farbish, Dennis Philo, Patrick Philo, Brandee (Josh) Ludka and Adam (Sarah) Clark; 26 great grandchildren; 14 great- great grandchildren; a half-brother, D. James (Betty) Stats and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Joseph, she was preceded in death by her sisters: Addie Neihardt in 1941, Hope Smith in 1999, Dawn Hoitenga in 2005 and her brothers Robert Neihardt, WWII in 1944 and Dale Neihardt in 2003, her parents, two nephews and three nieces and many friends. Frieda\'s life will be celebrated with a funeral service held 11:00 AM, Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at the Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac with Captain Mark Nance officiating. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery in Cadillac, next to her husband Joe. Friends may meet the family Monday from 6:00- 8:00 PM at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers please remember Frieda with a memorial contribution to the Salvation Army or charity of choice. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Freida Louise Clark

March 9, 1922 - April 12, 2012