Freida A. Ethell

Freida Alma Ethell, daughter of James Jacob Rhoades and Lena Ellen Greenlee Rhoades, was born February 29, 1916 at Rippey, Iowa and died July 7, 2010 at the Perry Health Care Center in Perry, Iowa, at the age of 94 years, 4 months and 8 days. Freida came from a family of nine children and had a twin brother. She attended school in Rippey. On September 16, 1933, Freida married Lester Ethell at Jefferson, Iowa. To this union, one child was born, Beverly Jean, who died in infancy. Freida lived most of her life in the Rippey area except for fifteen years that she and Lester farmed in the Scranton area. The couple moved back to the home place south of Rippey in 1958 where they continued farming until Lester's death in 1984. Freida continued to live on the farm for ten years following Lester's death when she moved into Rippey. She was a lifelong homemaker and enjoyed flowers, crafts and playing cards. Freida will be remembered as a wonderful cook. She and Lester enjoyed fishing trip vacations on Lake of the Woods in Canada every year for thirty years. They enjoyed many on-shore lunches, cooking walleyes. They couple especially enjoyed visiting with long-time friends in the campgrounds. Freida was a member of the Rippey United Methodist Church, belonged to various card clubs and the G.A.B. Club. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lester; her daughter, Beverly Jean, in infancy; four brothers and four sisters. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. Memorials may be made to the Rippey United Methodist Church or Hospice of Central Iowa.