Frieda Litwiller

Frieda Hiebert Nickel Litwiller was born June 30, 1919, at Hillsboro, Kansas, the third child of Frank G. and Agnes Hoeppner Hiebert. She peacefully left this world on December 31, 2019, at Bethel Home, Montezuma, Kansas. God blessed her with a rich and full life of 100 years and six months. Mom was converted and baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, on January 23, 1938, by Minister Harry Wenger. She was faithful to those vows unto the end. On May 11, 1941, she was married to Levi Nickel. They had one son, Howard, born October 30, 1942. The "lines did not always fall in pleasant places" for her. In less than two years, Levi passed away from cancer. She was left alone with a three-month-old baby. At this time, they moved back to her parents home. Her mother had become an invalid because of severe arthritis, so they made a move to California, hoping she would improve. While there, she worked in fruit packing plants and made lasting friendships. Following that time, she spent two years as a missionary in Mexico, working as a nurse in the hospital. In the mid-1950s she went to Michigan to stay with her Aunt Martha Hiebert. While there, she met Emerson Litwiller who was a widower and they were married on November 7, 1954. They lived on a dairy farm where she had a large garden. Mom embraced her calling as the wife of a deacon and was very hospitable. Mom and Dad entertained many overnight visitors and had many guests for meals. They went to Arizona in 1970 and spent a few years in mission work at Salina Springs and Wide Ruins. They helped with the building of Hogan Hozhoni and were the first houseparents. Later they made their home at Youngtown, AZ for some time. Mom again experienced sorrow and loss when her husband passed away in 1992. She spent winters in Florida with her son Howard and his family. In 1998, she realized loss anew when Howard died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 55. She enjoyed doing volunteer work at the Senior Center in Ithaca and making many baby quilts and scrapbooks for family and friends. The time came in December of 2005 to move to an apartment in Bethel Home where she made new friends and renewed old friendships. This past June, we celebrated her 100th birthday. Recently she left a clear testimony that she was saved and a child of God. In the last week of her life, she talked much about heaven, home, and angels. We believe the angels guided her to her heavenly home in the early morning hours. Those left behind are: one daughter-in-law, Jane, Mrs. Newell Mininger, Barron, Wisconsin; Emersons children: Lavonne & Donald Gable, Perrinton, Michigan; Charis and James Toews, Middleton, Michigan; Jon & Deb Litwiller, Middleton, Michigan; 27 grandchildren, 87 great grandchildren, 65 great-great grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Robert Martens, Inman, Kansas: and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by both husbands, her son Howard, Emersons son Lowell, her parents, her four siblings, 2 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 5, 2020, at 10:30 A.M. at the Newark Mennonite Church, Ithaca, Michigan with Ministers Darin Litwiller and Keith Litwiller officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6-8 P.M. at the church. Burial will be in the North Greenwood Cemetery, Middleton, Michigan. Those desiring, may make contributions in Friedas honor to Mapleview Assisted Living, 4396 S. Luce Rd., Ithaca, MI 48847 or Bethel Home, 300 S. Aztec St., Montezuma, KS 67867.