Freda (Unruh) Krieger

Our Beloved Mother, Freda Krieger, 99, formerly of Beulah, ND passed away peacefully on May 27, 2021, at the Baptist Health Care Center in Bismarck, ND.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM CDT on Thursday, June 3, 2021, at Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah with Pastor Kent Sperry officiating.

Born to George and Christina Unruh on November 28, 1921, Mom was the oldest of her four brothers and four sisters. So it was that early on she developed a strong sense of responsibility for the well-being of those dependent on her for support and guidance. This became the defining hallmark for her entire life. Mom’s teen years were spent enduring the lean times of the Great Depression as she took babysitting and housecleaning jobs to help support the family. That all her sisters and brothers turned out to be such fine people is at least in some small measure due to her positive influence.

Mom enjoyed working in service and retail sales jobs where she could meet and interact with people. After marrying Edwin Krieger in 1941, she held a sales job at Waisman’s Department store in Brownwood, Texas while Dad was stationed as a radioman at Camp Bowie, Texas. After returning to North Dakota, she held a similar position at the R.C.U. department store in Beulah, ND. Business ownership came next as she opened and operated the Greystone Café in Beulah and built it into the best family restaurant in the area. During that time she also raised two young children whose needs always took priority over her other duties and responsibilities. Mom’s primary focus was always as a caregiver and loving Mother to us, her two children. After selling the café in 1963, Mom assisted Dad in the daily operation of the Mirror Bar in Beulah until its sale in 1975. Then it was back to retail sales, this time in Tupperware as Mom consistently ranked at and near the top in sales in the Bismarck district.

The VFW Ladies Auxiliary was an important aspect of Mom’s life as she devoted any spare time she had to its functions as well as serving as the Beulah chapter President for two separate terms. Later in life she took up golf admitting that she wasn’t very good at it, but that she really liked it for the outdoor exercise and for its social interaction. Of course, no list of Mom’s interests is complete without the inclusion of Bingo. If there was a Bingo game anywhere in Mercer County it was likely she was there playing her 9 cards at a time. She did tend to win often, much to the irritation of the rest of the players.

Mom is survived by her son Robert and his wife Pat, and grandson Thomas; her daughter Ann and step granddaughter Carol; sisters Helen Koppi; Darlyne (Buford) Rice; brothers Clarence (Jeanne) Unruh; Terry (Lonnie) Unruh, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents George and Christina Unruh; husband Edwin; sisters Esther (Oscar) Talcott; Katie (Pete) Lehman; brothers Reuben “Chip” (Verna); Harvey; brother-in-law Les Koppi; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Cecil and Tina Smith; son-in-law Chuck.

Honorary pallbearer is her grandson Thomas.

So go now Mom, and in joy, join those who have gone before, as we who remain look to the day we see your loving face again. In the name of Jesus, Amen

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Beulah Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Baptist Health Care Center who with such compassion and professionalism took such good care of Freda.  Her family will be forever grateful for the love and the friendship she shared with the staff.

Arrangements are conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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