Freda Schlesener

Freda Darlene Schlesener, age 84, of Rantoul, Kansas, formerly of Hillsdale, died Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at home. She was born May 22, 1928 in Edgerton, Kansas. She was the daughter of Rufus "Red" and Mary Jane (Hammar) Boydston. She was married to Harvey William Schlesener on January 8, 1946 at Olathe, Kansas. They became the parents of eight children. After spending many years as a homemaker and raising her children, Freda worked in the deli of the Venture Store on Metcalf, housekeeping in St. Joseph Hospital, and the Blair House Restaurant in Louisburg as a cook. She later went to work at King Radio in Paola and then the Osawatomie State Hospital. She worked in the housekeeping department at the Osawatomie State Hospital for eleven years before retiring from there in 1990. She began volunteering with the Foster Grandparent Program in 1990 and continued volunteering with them for approximately 15 years. Freda loved to plant and take care of her flowers. She also enjoyed crocheting, embroidering, reading, and most of all spending time with her family and friends. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Osawatomie. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harvey who died February 14, 1995, three brothers Russell, Ivan, and Gerald Boydston, a brother-in-law Leonard Elrod, a sister-in-law Zona Boydston, one granddaughter Brittany Martin, one grandson Shane Schlesener, one great grandson Dommanick Taylor, and one great granddaughter Johnna Feugate. She is survived by four sons Gary Schlesener of Osawatomie, David (Rita) Schlesener of Paola, Rick (Jacque) Schlesener of Blue Mound, and Randy (Patty) Schlesener of Fayetteville, Arkansas; four daughters Sandra McKinney of Osawatomie, Lori (Dennis) Martin of Osawatomie, Janie (Terry) Sanders of Ottawa, and Shannon (David) Sams of Rantoul; one sister Juanita Elrod of Basehor, Kansas; two brothers Donald (Ester) Boydston of Louisburg and Norman (Kay) Boydston of Ochletree; two sisters-in-law Sharon Boydston of Raymore, Missouri and Alta Boydston of Holt, Missouri; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Contributions in memory of Freda can be given to the Foster Grandparent Program and sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 605 O'Neal Ave., P. O. Box 280, Osawatomie, KS 66064.