Aunt Freda Faber

Freda Faber was born January 12, 1923 in Hawarden, Iowa to Peter and Rena ( De Jager) Faber. She spent her childhood in Sioux County, Iowa and Union County, South Dakota.

Freda yielded her life to God in 1934.

She left home at the age of fourteen to attend High School in Alcester South Dakota. She graduated as Salutatorian for her class in 1941. While going to school she lived with someone from the town and worked for room and board.

The following summer she attended Normal School in Spearfish South Dakota and received her teaching certificate. Freda began her teaching career in a one-room school with a teachery north of Sturgis South Dakota. She continued teaching in the northern Black Hills until the completion of the 1943-1944 school year.

*(Normal School is a summer session at a college to prepare a student for teaching.)

*( Teachery is a one room domain where the teacher lived adjacent to the school. It had no running water, phone or electricity. )

 In the fall of 1944 she taught in a one-room school near Menno South Dakota. While teaching here she lived with the Fred Wedmore family.

Freda taught in the Fairview South Dakota schools from the fall of 1945 until 1947.

 In the fall of 1947 she went into the ministry in South Dakota.

 Our family was together for the last time at Boyden Convention in 1956. After that convention Mom and Dad took Freda and Gertrude Ruyter to Miami, Florida.

Freda and Gertrude continued their journey via plane to Aruba and Curacao. They also labored in Suriname and Guyana from 1962 – 1965. After this Freda went to Puerto Rico and Gertrude went to Holland.

Freda came home in 1968 and had back surgery at Mayo’s Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

 In the fall of 1969 she joined the staff in Mexico working there til her health failed in March of 2011. She began doctoring in May of 2011 for lung cancer with metastasis to the right hip joint and vertebrae. She received chemo, radiation and for a short time a “new” cancer drug orally. She was in critical condition in mid-August and regained strength by October. She then went to Wendell and Vivian’s home in November.

 Freda also had cataract surgery in November of 2011.

 1-22-12    At this time her left leg is swollen and she is on pain medication.

Addendum:

This was compiled by Lois (Faber, Pountney) Williams.

 This was compiled with Freda’s help regarding dates and places.  

 I (Lois) didn’t really become acquainted with Freda until she was in the work in South Dakota. We attended South Dakota conventions yearly while she was there and later when she was on her home visits. Freda was the second born and I was the 11^th.

My greatest memory of Freda is when she was in charge of the dining tents and we were her helpers…waiting on tables and etc.

Tune to Only One Step

 Think on these things, our thoughts are heard in Heaven.

Think on God’s Son, His life so pure He gave,
Oh, meditate upon His death and suffering—
“This was for me, He died my soul to save”

Oh, do these things, there’s joy when we obey Him,
There’s rest of heart in yielding to His will,
Live for these things, our God is keeping “Israel”

We’ll not be moved, draw nearer to Him still.

Add to these things, while life’s short day is passing,
Lack not these things, be clothed with charity,
Love never fails; we’ll not be idle, useless,
In Christ, the vine, our lives will fruitful be.

Go, tell these things, God’s Son left all to tell them,
He spent His life, and others bade He go;
We thank our God, for those He sent to help us
That in this life, “these things” are ours to know.              F.F. February 22,1957


THERE IS SAFETY IN SUBMISSION

Whatever the future holds,
I’ll trust my God for aye,
Whatever His will might be
"Tis my joy from day to day
Whatever His hand may bring,
"Tis best for me I know,
Whatever my Father plans
He wisely does it so.

Wherever His hand may lead,
With Him I gladly go,
Wherever the lost one is,
Help me the seed to sow;
Wherever the hands hang low,
Find me a shepherd true,

Wherever my lot is cast,

Teach me Thy work to do.

Whenever the Master calls,
I’ll go at His command,
Whenever the way is dark,
I’ll trust His guiding hand.
Whenever the teardrops fall,
I'll look to heaven above,
Whenever my cup o’erflows
Help me return Thy love.

Forever, always forward,
Whate’er the cross maybe
Forever, yes, forever,
Where’er He’s needing me,
Forever, yes, unto death,
Whene’er that day is known
Forever, eternally reaping
What I have sown.                                       F.F. 1960