Freda Keszler

Freda Keszler, 89, died October 6, 2013 at St. Gabriel's Community, Bismarck, ND. Services will be held Thursday, October 10 at 11:00 AM at Parkway Funeral Services, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, ND, with Rev. Allen Finger officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Freda Helen Hoffer was born March 24, 1924, on the family farm near Lincoln Valley, ND, to Theobold and Katherine Krein Hoffer. She was raised and educated in rural Sheridan County. Freda married Leonard Keszler on November 30, 1941, in McClusky, ND, and together they raised two daughters, Arva Dell and Bonnie. She and Leonard farmed briefly on the Keszler farmstead. They moved to Anamoose, ND, in 1946 where Leonard began his life-long career with the Soo Line Railroad. The family moved to Harvey, ND, in 1951. Freda pursued a nursing career and in 1956 she received her LPN certification from the Chicago School of Nursing, Chicago, IL. She worked briefly at St. Aloisius Hospital, followed by in-home private nursing for several years. She worked as a dental assistant for Drs. Graumann and Faul in Harvey. After moving to Bismarck in 1963 she worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Joseph Nicola. She retired out of the workforce in 1986 as a housemother at the Bismarck Hospital School of Nursing. Together with her husband, they enjoyed happy retirement years. Leonard died November 16, 1995. Freda was a committed Christian and through her living testimony she witnessed her faith to others. Few people ever left her presence without having scriptures quoted to them. She was a past active member of Rosenfeld Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, Harvey, and Bismarck Baptist Church, Bismarck. She was a talented lady. She was a meticulous housekeeper, wonderful cook and baker, skilled seamstress who designed and sewed clothing for herself and daughters. She had a flair for decorating and her homes were always done beautifully. Taking care of home and family was always her first priority. She enjoyed life to its fullest, cherished reminiscing and laughing with her beloved siblings, and always eager to share a joke or two. She was an avid reader and kept informed of current events. Freda will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and loving sister to her five siblings. She was a generous, helpful neighbor and friend to many. Freda will be dearly missed by her daughters, Arva Dell Bruce Benz, and Bonnie Dennis Schlittenhardt of Bismarck, ND; her grandsons, Daniel Arliss Benz, Bonney Lake, WA, Tom Jackie Benz, and Dustin Melanie Schlittenhardt of Bismarck, ND; her great-grandchildren, Saxon Russell, Micah, Derek, and Selah Schlittenhardt of Bismarck, and Tyler Benz, Bonney Lake, WA; her brother, Wilmer Viginia Hoffer, McClusky, ND; her brother-in-law, Bernie Krebsbach, Lodi, CA; and numerous special nieces, nephews and their families. Freda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leonard; and her sisters and their spouses, Elsie John Erickson, Ella Harold Fandrich, Lorraine Mylan Carlson, and Delores Krebsbach. The family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to the staff at St. Gabriel's Community for the excellent and loving care given to Freda, and the compassion and love shown to all of us. You have all truly been God's hands in service and we are so grateful. Also, thank you to all who visited her during the many hospital stays and time spent at the care center. Memorials may be given to St. Gabriel's Community or the donor's choice.

Freda Keszler

March 24, 1924 - October 6, 2013