Elfreida Enns Obituary (1916

Elfrieda Niedens Enns, 94, of Hooker, Oklahoma passed away September 9, 2010 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, Kansas. Elfrieda was born July 5, 1916 two miles north of Hooker at her Grandfather George Niedens home place. She weighed 10 lbs at birth and was delivered by Dr. Riesen. She was the second daughter of Fred and Olga Young Niedens. Her parents, shortly after, moved southwest of Hooker to the Buffalo community near Optima. Life was not easy and two of her sisters died young, one of complications of measles and the other of diphtheria, causing her mother much grief. At age 8, she entered Buffalo School, so she could begin 1st grade with her younger sister, Alvina. She completed 8th grade in 1932 and was required to go to Guymon for the County Test before receiving her diploma. In the summers, the children would attend German classes where they learned not only to better speak the language, but also to read and write. After the 8th grade, she stayed at home and worked in the garden and milked the familys cows. She topped maize, helped cook for the thrashers, and helped with butchering. When her mother became ill, she helped with her younger siblings, and became a proficient bread-maker at a very young age. She married Ernest Enns on January 9, 1938 at the Hooker Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Van Payton officiating. They continued to be active in the church and filled many positions. Their first house was across the road from his parents homestead south of Hooker. They lived in that general Adams vicinity until they moved to Hooker and built a home in 1972. Ernest was a farmer in Texas County. Elfrieda enjoyed textile painting, embroidering, crocheting and knitting. She learned early to sew as her mother was an excellent seamstress. She made most of her clothes, her daughters, and her granddaughters dresses for years. She always had a garden or tended to her flowers and trees. Her and Ernest enjoyed traveling and went on many tours especially after he retired at age 76 yrs. They loved to visit relatives and friends from many states and to Louisiana to see their daughter and family. They were privileged to celebrate their final wedding anniversary of 71 years on January 9, 2009. They received a citation of congratulation for their anniversary from the State of Oklahoma. Elfrieda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest on Feb. 25, 2009; 2 sisters, Frieda, and Edna Olga; 1 brother, Walter Niedens; and sister, Alvina Niedens Enns Neighbors in March 2010. Survivors include two daughters, Elvera Raff Rhines and husband Jerry of Hooker, Anita Geraci and husband Leo of New Orleans, LA, a sister-in-law Viola Niedens of Mead, Ok, and a brother-in-law Hershel Neighbours of Walnut Ridge, AR. She has 4 grandchildren, Kari Quinnelly, Annette McAdams, Lori Montalbo, and Gary Raff along with 6 great grandchildren, Katie, Justin Abigail, Gabriel, Haley, and Hannah. Funeral services will be held at the Hooker Church of the Nazarene, Monday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m. with Larry Hall, former Hooker pastor, officiating. Interment will be in the Hooker Cemetery directed by Roberts Brothers Funeral Home. Memorials may be sent to the Hooker Church of the Nazarene, Hooker Cemetery Fund, or Hooker Park Fund in care of Roberts Bros. Inc. P.O. Box 745, Hooker, OK 73945.