Esther J.M. Freichs

Esther J.M. Frerichs, age 97 of Sidney, NE and longtime Gurley area resident, passed away at the Sidney Regional Medical Center Extended Care, Monday morning, July 1, 2013.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, July 6th in the Salem Lutheran Church in Gurley with Pastor Ted Bourret officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney.

Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Friday from 1-7:00 P.M., with family present from 5-7.

Memorial contributions may be made in Esther’s name to the Salem Lutheran Church.

You may view Esther’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at HYPERLINK "http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com" http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Esther’s care and funeral arrangements.

Esther Johanna Marie Juedes, the daughter of William Albert and Carolina (Thieman) Juedes, was born on June 25, 1916. She was baptized July 9, 1916 and confirmed March 29, 1931 at Salem Lutheran Church then located west of Gurley, with Pastor Polster presiding. She attended Salem Lutheran Parochial School in rural Gurley through the eighth grade. Following her education, Esther continued working on the farm and began doing washing and ironing and helping young mother’s with their new babies. The wages at the time were $4.00 a week.

On April 22, 1936, Esther was united in marriage to Ernest Arthur Frerichs and made their home on a farm east of Gurley. To this union four sons were born, Arthur Ernest, Dareld Dean, Eugene LeRoy and Allen Lee. In her younger years she baked and decorated wedding cakes and later pieced quilts, did crochet, woodworking and playing cards with friends. Esther remained on the farm following Ernest’s death in 1985 until her move to Sidney in 2000.

Survivors include: (3) sons: Arthur E. Frerichs and wife Billie of Gurley, Eugene Frerichs and wife Dorothy of Arizona and Allen Frerichs and wife Sharon of Gurley; daughter-in-law: Doris Frerichs of Sidney; (11) grandchildren; (22) great-grandchildren, (22) great-great-grandchildren and many extended family members and friends.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband and (2) children: an infant son and Dareld, (1) grandson: William and siblings: Edwin, Viola, Florence, Raymond and Arlene.