Fredonia Arens

Fredonia Elizabeth Schulte Arens, 86, passed away Saturday, December 18,2010, at her home in Springfield, MO just in time to celebrate Christmas and her 87th birthday with the angels and the saints (most especially her family and friends) in the presence of the Lord.

Fredonia, better known as Fritz, was born December 27, 1923, in Mary's Home, MO to Lambert and Elizabeth (Doerhoff) Schulte. She was the 7th child of 16 brothers and sisters raised on a farm just outside the little home town. Her family, her home, and her church, Our Lady of the Snows, were always very special to her. She grew up in the faith and love of those around her. When she married Herman Joseph Arens on August 16, 1947, they moved to Sedalia, MO where they raised four daughters: Doris Ann, Karen Suzanna, Janet Lee, and Debra Kathryn.

She was a devoted wife and mother who taught her children what giving means. She donated her time as class room mother and was an active member and past president of the Mother's Club at Sacred Heart School. She spent time visiting the elderly and working with the youth at the Children's Therapy Center. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabelle Society for over 45 years. She was the neighborhood chairman for the Cancer Drive for several years. She organized a citywide Mother's Drive fundraiser for a young boy in need of a kidney transplant and, again, for a mother and her children who were in need of financial aid due to a family tragedy.

Her gift of time was important, but she also gave through monetary donations. She helped support a young man as a missionary in the Philipines and she adopted a young girl in Central America through World Vision. She was an avid supporter of the WWII Memorial built in Washington, D.C. Her favorite charities that she contributed to for years were St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, and Farm Aid.

Although she showed much concern for others, she also had interests and hobbies that she enjoyed. She spent time doing ceramics and embroidery, was always interested in history and biographies, loved watching Bing Crosby movies, and listening to country music.

Through the years she could tell the best stories of her family and childhood. Her storytelling entertained her children, grandchildren, and, later in life, her caregivers. She not only kept the past alive with her stories, but she held everyone together with her fabulous memory. She knew, without looking at a calendar, every birthday, anniversary, and death date of all her siblings and she was sure to call them or one of their children at these times.

Fredonia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and 11 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her four daughters, Doris Mantei and her husband Erwin, Karen Tippie, Janet McBride and her husband Dennis all of Springfield, MO and Debra Bellmer and her husband Joe of Columbia, MO; 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Norbert Schulte, Josephine Schwaller and Robert Schulte.

Memorial contributions can be made to Sacred Heart School in Sedalia, MO or the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.

Funeral arrangements have been made by Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield, MO and Phillips Funeral Home in Mary's Home, MO. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 22 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with a rosary service starting at 6 pm. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, December 23 at 11:00 am. Both services will be held at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Mary's Home, MO.

Online condolences can be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.