Frieda Bansen

Frieda “Oma” Bansen, 89, of St. Joseph, went home to the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 4, 2006, at Lakeland Hospital, in the presence of her daughter, Ingrid. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday at Oakridge Baptist Church, 766 Oakridge Dr., St. Joseph, with Rev. David Broome officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may call from 5-8 P.M. Monday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Oakridge Baptist Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Frieda was born October 21, 1916 in Mollehnen, Germany, the seventh of seven children to Friedrich and Charlotte Guddei. She was married to Edward Bansen on June 10, 1935, and had three children. In 1951 her family immigrated to the United States, where she was a charter member of the Clay Street (now Oakridge) Baptist Church. She was employed at V-M Corporation for 10 years, and at Town & Country Bakery in St. Joseph for 5 years. Frieda was a faithful servant of the Lord who generously volunteered her time, prayer, and talents, which included her knitting skills, one year knitting mittens for 64 orphans through “Operation Christmas Child.” Known as a “Prayer Warrior,” Frieda was devoted to her family, friends, and church and could always be counted on for a kind, supportive word. Frieda is survived by her daughter Ingrid (Reinhold) Hartwig of Stevensville; her in-laws-Herta Bansen and Ursula Bansen both of St. Joseph, and Henry and Annemari Bansen of Muskegon, three grandchildren-Rick (Connie) Hartwig, John (Jennifer) Hartwig, and Regina (Paul) Schlaff; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward Bansen in October of 1993, her parents Friedrich and Charlotte Guddei, three brothers, three sisters, her son Manfred Bansen, and her daughter Jutta Bansen.