Hilda Alberta Freel

Hilda Alberta Freel, 96, Topeka, died Sunday, July 26, 2015, at Midland Hospice House, Topeka. She was born January 29, 1919, at Corning, the daughter of George William and Josie (Sanders) Clem. She was raised by her father and step-mother, Mae Clem.

Hilda graduated from Corning High School in 1937. She graduated from LPN School in 1959. She worked at Topeka Medical Center and retired in 1983 from Lincoln OBGYN Center. After retirement she and her husband, John, moved to Rockaway Beach, MO, for ten years before moving to Onaga where they lived for nine years. They returned to Topeka in 2002. She was a member of the Oakland United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.

For many years Hilda volunteered at Let’s Help.

Hilda married John William Freel on August 11, 1937, at Corning. They celebrated 67 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on October 12, 2004. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Gilbert Lee Valdivia, on November 10, 2001; and three sisters: Mabel Henderson, Donna Steele, and Arline Jordan.

Surviving are her children: Richard William Freel (Joyce) of Minneapolis, KS, Robert Glendon Freel of Topeka, Nancy Jo Valdivia (John) of Topeka, Karen Sue Valdivia of Topeka, and Josie Ann Bigger (Robert) of Topeka; thirteen grandchildren: Marlene Gawith, Anthony Valdivia, Robert Valdivia, Michael W. Freel, Debra Valdivia, Justina Valdivia Campos, Sean Freel, Michael J. Freel, Stacie Valdivia, Mark Freel, Kimberly Farkas, Edward Valdivia, and Becky Pinkston; 34 great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka. Interment will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, 3616 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka.

Hilda will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Tuesday, at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oakland United Methodist Church, 801 NE Chester, Topeka, KS 66616 or Let’s Help, 200 South Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603.