Freeda Geneva Hecker

She was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph Perry Kilburn and Myrle Elizabeth Wallis-Kilburn; her three siblings: Gerald Howard Kilburn, Hazel Kilburn-Kinion, and Iris Jeanne Kilburn-Kincaid-Nordberg; and three husbands: Daniel Schafer, Melvin "Doc" Sewell, and Richard Hecker.

She is survived by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, step-grand, great, and great-great-grandchildren, who all adored her.

In the fall of 1944, she moved with her family to Washington state. Freeda's formal education included graduation from Selah High School and a degree in early childhood development. She used that degree as a nanny for a doctor for several years. However, she continued learning by extensive travel throughout Europe and frequent visits to her favored destination of beautiful Hawaii. She also learned much about the Chinese culture and cuisine working at the Golden Wheel restaurant in Yakima, WA for many years.

If you've spent any time with Freeda, it's likely you've eaten her pork fried rice or chicken chow mein. She is remembered affectionately as a "foodie," always having a well-stocked pantry. She was quick to ask what your favorite food is and eager to make it for you, even if that took a few hours and a trip to the store. Due to her impeccable memory, she was able to make you that dish whenever she saw you again. From chocolate cake to apple pie, she could make just anything you might ask for. She really enjoyed making people happy with her delicious cooking.

She experienced much love and loss during her life as she was widowed 3 times. Although not having any children of her own, she was blessed with abundant family. She was beloved by nieces, nephews, and an ever-growing group of grandchildren to great-great grandchildren. Her strong faith, her close friend, Pearl White, and caregivers, Frank and Tammy Bass, kept her spirits high. She had a love for her lively card games and a home full of laughter.

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses baptized on July 22, 1953, she was a woman who had a strong personal relationship with God, based on love. This love motivated her to share her hope for the future with others. She was very involved in this voluntary work, helping people come to know God and see the benefits of applying Bible principles in their lives. She strongly believed that death was not the end, but rather, simply a resting place until the resurrection God promises to a paradise earth.

Jesus will restore "all those in the memorial tombs" to life ~ John 5:28, 29

Funeral Arrangements:

Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 21 Quail Meadow Lane, Selah, WA

Or you may join via Zoom Video:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82180007084

Meeting ID: 821 8000 7084

Passcode: 955843

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at, www.keithandkeith.com for the Hecker family.