Elfrieda "Frieda" Waldemar

VISITATION
Saturday, May 2, 2026
10:00 - 11:00 AM
First Baptist Church of Kiron
Kiron, Iowa

SERVICE
Saturday, May 2, 2026
11:00 AM
First Baptist Church of Kiron
Kiron, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Wayne Stowers

BURIAL
Kiron Cemetery
Kiron, Iowa

Elfrieda Waldemar, daughter of Meinhard and Henny (Ketelson) Feddersen, was born June 18, 1940. She grew up as the sixth of ten children on the family farm near Denison, IA. Elfrieda was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison in seventh grade and graduated from Denison High School in 1958.

Following high school, she served as a nurse’s aide at Harlan Hospital and as a waitress at Cronk’s Café in Denison. Roller skating was one of her favorite hobbies when she was younger. While working at Cronk’s, she met her future husband, James “Jim” Roger Waldemar.

On November 28, 1959, Elfrieda and Jim married at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa. Together they built a life rooted in hard work, faith, and family.

Throughout her life, Frieda held a variety of jobs, though her most important role was that of a devoted farmwife. After Jim passed away, Elfrieda moved to Carroll and began working at Sitel as a telemarketer. She then worked at McDonald’s, where she especially enjoyed mentoring and encouraging younger coworkers. She was widely known as an excellent cook and baker. She was known for her Belgian waffles (highly requested by her grandkids).

Frieda found joy in the simple, meaningful work of life. She loved gardening, canning, and tending to her flowers. Whether she was husking corn for canning, butchering chickens, or out in the field cultivating corn, she worked hard and joyfully. She was known for her kind heart and never had a bad word to say about others. She was a constant source of love and support to her children and family.

She was an active member of First Baptist Church in Kiron, where she participated in Bible studies and served in the nursery cradle roll. Always working hard, she lived a life reflecting quiet strength, faith, and compassion for others.

Elfrieda passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Ruthven Community Care Center at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her daughter, Shelly; and five of her siblings - Margaret Ann, Julia Faye, Maxine, Hans, and Ronald.

She is survived by two children, Tami (Brian) Batschelet and Colby Waldemar; five grandchildren, Ethan (Ashley) Batschelet, Caleb (Talor) Batschelet, Ashley Waldemar, Curtis (Sarah Jane) Waldemar, and Tyler Waldemar; eight great-grandchildren; siblings John, Betty, Jenny, and Joleen; sister-in-law Sandy; and many other relatives and friends.

Arrangements by Geelan Funeral Home