Darla Mae Fredricks

Darla Mae Fredricks (DeWitt) passed away with clear skies and a full moon to guide her to her heavenly home on May 22, 2016. Darla was born sneezing according to her dad, on December 30, 1935 in Grand Rapids, MI. She was the youngest daughter of Frank and Leta DeWitt and little sister to Neila Systma and Dave DeWitt, all whom proceeded her in death. She leaves behind the love of her life, her husband of 62 years, Harvey Fredricks, whom she enjoyed a lifetime of travel and adventures with. Also, her beloved sons, Kevin (Marcia) Fredricks of McBain, MI and Kraig (Vicki) Fredricks of Lake Odessa, MI. and her cherished granddaughters, Melissa (Doug) McLain, Amanda Bush, Michelle (Brandon) Elmore and Dallas (Jeff) Davis. Darla’s greatest joys were her great grandchildren, Dustin, Connor, and Molly McLain, Cassie Bush, Carter, Zachary, and Evan Elmore, and Ethan Davis. Darla’s Fredrick’s family includes her childhood and lifetime best friend whom also became her sister-in-law, Marilyn Fredricks along with brother-in-law Don Fredricks. As well as Roger and Shirley Fredricks, Elaine and Jay Wigger, Marva and Laverne Kneale, Bernice Goodemoot, Barb Fredricks, Linda and Roger Altena and many loved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Darla loved to garden with her flowers and was a founding member of the Lake Odessa Garden club. She enjoyed giving tours of her yard and shared the beauty with all. Harvey and Darla were very active with their sons in motorcycle racing, snowmobiling, camping, and traveling. Her wanderlust started as a young girl, traveling to Florida every winter and motorhome traveling out west with the boys and later in her retirement years. Darla’s other love was managing and working for Hallmark throughout most of her life. She became a gold crown member in 1968 and enjoyed decorating her home during the holidays with her ornaments. Welcoming her to heaven will be much beloved family members, in laws, Herbert and Bertha Fredricks, sister-in-law, Sandy Fredricks, brothers-in-law, Keith Fredricks, Randy Wolverton, and Don Goodemoot. Her family would like to express their gratitude for the compassionate care she received from the staff at Metron of Belding, Thornapple Manor in Hastings, The Laurels of Kent in Lowell, and especially the Great Lakes Caring Hospice visitors that have been a constant comfort to her since last fall. Visitation will be held at Lakewood United Methodist Church in Lake Odessa this Thursday, May 26 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, with the funeral immediately following. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her with a memorial gift may make it to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or the Great Lakes Caring Hospice.