Freda Maria Zuern Herman, 84

Freda Maria Zuern Herman passed away unexpectedly, but surrounded by her family, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on May 7, 2014.

Freda was the second of nine children born to Gottleib Zuern and Ella Reinhart Zuern. Born March 17, 1930, in Beulah, N.D., Freda was known to dye her hair green in honor of her St. Patrick's Day birthday despite being of German heritage. Her family spoke German at home, and Freda did not learn to speak English until she attended grade school. Freda was sent away from home to work at the age of 10.

Freda was a hard-working, independent woman, and her young siblings looked up to her. They knew that she would be first in line to stand up for them if need be. She shared a special lifelong bond with all of them, and looked forward to their family get-togethers.

As an adult, Freda moved to Post Falls, Idaho, where she built a home in 1954 and raised her only child, Robert Lee O'Briant, on her own. Freda worked as a cook and waitress serving the residents of Post Falls for many years before retiring.

Freda enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers in her small home garden, dancing, and playing pinochle and canasta with friends. She was known for her "sizzling" canned pickles, which cannot be duplicated.

Freda was preceded in death by her parents, Gottleib and Ella; sisters: Elsie Stach, Vera Mindt, and Hilda Bolser; and brothers: Floyd, Melvin, and Glenn Zuern. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Nancy Jennings, of Post Falls; grandchildren: Shantel O'Briant and husband Matt Aparicio, of Coeur d'Alene, and Travis O'Briant, of Salt Lake City, Utah; great-grandsons: Noah, Eli and Aaron Aparicio; brothers: Archie Zuern, of North Dakota, and Alfred Zuern, of Montana; and numerous nieces and nephews, including those raised in Post Falls with whom she was especially close: Debbie and Candy Bolser; and Clara, Terry, Jim, and Bill Schumacher.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, May 14, with a service to follow at 1 p.m., at English Funeral Chapel, 1700 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, Idaho. Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Freda's honor may be made to the charity of your choice.