Vada Freund (nee Folck) passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, 2023 at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson, at the age of 93. She was born at home on April 19, 1930, in Little River, Kan. to Ray and Elsie (Eaton) Folck. Vada spent her childhood on the family farm doing daily chores, developing her passion for cooking, baking, sewing and was musically inclined. A resident of Great Bend since 1958, she moved to South Hutchinson in 2016 and resided at the Mennonite Friendship Community.

Vada graduated from Little River High School in 1948. She continued her education at Emporia State University, San Diego State University and graduated from Fort Hays State College with a degree in Elementary Education. Vada taught elementary students in Claflin, Kan., Friend, Kan., Vista, Calif. and retired in 1993 from the Great Bend, Kan. school district with over 28 years touching young students lives. She was a former member of Price of Peace Parish in Great Bend and a current member of Guadalupe Catholic Church in South Hutchinson, Kan.

Vada created a home environment that was full of love and understanding. Prioritizing her family was obvious due to her involvement in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls and Argonne Rebels. She was a positive, loving role model for hundreds of children who were lucky enough to refer to her as Mrs. Freund in the classroom. Vada was a cherished friend to many and prioritized the opportunities to engage with her family.

On May 26, 1951, she married August E. Freund in Little River, Kan. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. They were married for 70 loving years, prior to his passing on June 4, 2021. Vada will be lovingly remembered by her children, Charla A. (Darren) Thornton of Olathe, Michael E. (Deborah) Freund of Great Bend, Mary Kay (Bruce) Kelm of Shawnee, Eric J. (Kathy) Freund of Hutchinson and Mark A. (Vina) Freund of Hutchinson. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Danielle Tyler, Leslie Reese, Jay Thornton, Barret Freund, Anna Loera, Andrew Freund, Craig Freund, Benjamin Kelm and Abigail Kelm; by great-grandchildren, Alexis, Joey, Ellie, Mia, Rigley, Jace, Kylie, Evonna, Evangelina, August, Asher, James and Ella; by sister, Norma Baker; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death her parents, Ray and Elsie Folck; her husband August E. Freund; and sisters, Delores Keegan and Virginia Buehler.

Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Little River, with Father Michael Brungardt officiating. Burial will follow at Bean Memorial Cemetery, Little River. Visitation will be from 9 until 10:30 a.m., prior to the service with a Parish Rosary being said at 10:30 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Multiple Sclerosis Society in memory of Vada Freund, in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons. 

Funeral arrangements provided by

Birzer Funeral Home

214 West Ave S,

Lyons, KS. 67554

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 24, 2023