Freida Hiestand

Freida Faye Hiestand, age 92, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Parkview Heights in Garnett, Kansas.

Freida was born on November 4, 1932, in Garnett, Kansas, the daughter of Ralph and Bertha Adams. She attended Garnett High School, graduating with the class of 1950, and later married Danny "Sam" Hiestand on July 11, 1950. Together they started their life in the Welda area, where Freida devoted her life to caring for her family as a homemaker. Sam would later be called to the Denver area in 1961 for work, where they continued to raise their growing family. In total they would have five children; Linda Faye, Leonard Dean, Glenda Kay, Carol Jane, and Roger Dale.

Freida was a "busy mom" who was always cooking, and she made sure her family gathered around the table for meals. She passed along the gift of good and enjoyable cooking to her children. And she shared the love of cooking as well as the skill with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Sewing was another of her talents, as she made clothing for her children and even for their toys. She had all the homemaking skills of a mother, but also the amazing skills of an outdoor woman.

She enjoyed keeping her mind active by working puzzles and filled her life with many adventures. At age 74, Freida rode a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. She also enjoyed fishing trips in Alaska and Canada, often sharing the Canada experience with her grandchildren. Yellowstone was a prominent visit for their family, returning every year and filling their lives with many stories, "We were always in the mountains." Activities there included rafting and snowmobiling, memories her family treasures to this day.

Freida cared deeply for her five children, making sure they were well-kept, loved, and strong in their faith. She was determined that her children knew the Lord and carried those values with them throughout their lives. Among many fond memories was her "Big Blue" station wagon, which she would load with the kids to follow their dad, a car hauler, teaching them the importance of family and hard work. That car was later sold to Junior Brown, adding to its family story.

Her neighbors loved her, not only for her warmth and kindness, but also for her famous "fruitcake recipe to die for," which she joyfully shared with family and friends year after year. The family plans to celebrate their weekly Sunday breakfast dinners started by Freida.

"If you didn't know Freida liked to make pancakes, you didn't know Freida." - Family

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Bertha Adams; her husband, Danny "Sam" Hiestand; brothers, Allison and wife Bobbie Adams, and Ralph and Sharon Adams; son, Leonard Dean Hiestand; and son-in-law, Ray Long.

Freida is survived by her daughters, Linda and Tarry Miller, Glenda Kay and J.R. Colden, Carol Jane Hiestand; and son, Roger Dale Hiestand; along with her ten grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and extended family who will carry her memory forward. She always made sure her family knew, "I love you more!"

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 5, 2025, at First Christian Church in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Welda Cemetery, Welda, Kansas. Freida's family will greet friends from 6:00-8:00 PM on Thursday evening at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Garnett. Memorials in Freida's memory may be made to First Christian Church and left in the care of Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com