Freda Smith 1939-2025
Alfreda (Freda) Jeanette Smith, 86, of Valley Falls, passed away at her home on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, surrounded by her family.
She was born Jan. 17, 1939, in Corning, to the parents of Vincent J. and Mary A. (Skaler) Eisenbarth. As a child she attended elementary school in Bancroft until it closed and then the family moved closer to Holton where she attended middle school. Wanting to be back with her classmates from Bancroft, she would graduate from Circleville High School in 1956.
Freda married Norman R. Smith at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Holton on Jan. 19, 1957. She would join Norman on their dairy farm south of Valley Falls and were blessed with a son, Dennis E. Smith. Freda was a dedicated farm wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved her family immensely.
She would later take work off the farm and that included a short stint at the State of Kansas; seven years as the Office Manager/Bookkeeper at Haul-Mor Manufacturing in Valley Falls; and later working for the United States Postal Service (USPS) from 1973 to 1999. She worked first as a postal clerk in Topeka for a short time and later was promoted to Postmaster in Denison and eventually Mayetta, retiring from there in 1999. After retirement, she worked for Mercer Funeral Home from 1999 to 2024.
Freda was active in several clubs over the years including Vallerians, Blue Mound Community Club and St. Mary’s Altar Society.
Nothing meant more to Freda than her family, especially her grandkids and great-grandkids. She was always present at her grandkids’ sporting activities, 4-H activities and other life events. Babysitting and spending time with grandkids and great-grandkids was her favorite pastime. Grandma was always up for a card game or a board game with them. And the grandkids were usually treated to her homemade meals, excellent cookies and were always sent home with a baggie full of goodies.
She was an excellent cook and baker. She baked and decorated countless wedding cakes for family and friends over the years. She also enjoyed gardening and canning, and most years she had a sizeable garden at the farm, something she and Norman enjoyed doing together. She will be greatly missed by all of her family. She was the perfect Mom, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman R. Smith; her parents, Vincent and Mary Eisenbarth; and a brother, Eugene Eisenbarth.
Freda is survived by her son, Dennis (Kathryn) Smith, Valley Falls; three grandchildren, Gayla (Darrin) Figge, Onaga, Donny (Daina) Smith and Justin Smith, Valley Falls; and five great-grandchildren, Tyree Figge, Delaney Figge, Grady Smith, Camden Smith and Hudson Smith.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5 at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Valley Falls. A rosary will be recited 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4 at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls with visitation to follow until 4 p.m. Freda will lie in state from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.
Memorials are suggested to the Valley Falls Athletic Association, Pottawatomie County Fair Association or Jefferson County Hospice, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
