Freda Marie Carey

Freda Carey Freda Marie Klossner Carey passed away surrounded by family and loved ones on May 4, 2016, at the age of 95. She was born in January 1921, in Blanchardville, Wisconsin, to John and Rosa Rufenacht Klossner. Her father was a Swiss cheese maker. The Klossner's were emigrants from Oey Diemtegem, Switzerland. Her family moved to Holland Patent, N.Y., and bought a dairy farm. Freda attended the Wethersfield Grade School, and graduated from the Holland Patent High School. After graduating high school, she then graduated from The Excelsior Business School in Utica, New York. She was employed by Chas. Miller & Sons and The Savage Arms, in Utica, New York, and The Rome Air Base, Rome, New York. Freda married John Riley Carey on September 7, 1945. In 1946 they moved to Napa, California, they were both employed at the Napa State Hospital. Freda gave birth to their first child, Dale Carey, in St. Helena, Calif., in 1946. They later moved to Marin County where Freda was a secretary for the Sausalito School District. Shortly after, their second child, Darlene, was born in St. Helena, Calif., in 1947. In 1954 the family moved to San Luis Obispo, Calif., where her husband, John helped establish the California Men's Colony; he was the original Food Manager. A year later, in 1956, they welcomed their third child, David Carey, who was born at Mt. View Hospital, in San Luis Obispo. Keeping the Carey legacy going at CMC, David would later take a job at CMC and retired as Associate Warden. Freda opened a Prekindergarten program that she enjoyed running for thirteen years. She was an active member of the PTA, Campfire Girls, and Boy Scouts. Freda was an avid fan for her son's and grandson's softball, baseball, soccer, football, and tennis games; she never missed a game. She was delighted to attend her granddaughter's dance recitals and volleyball games. Some of Freda's hobbies included traveling, crossword puzzles, macrameing, knitting, gardening, working on her computer, crocheting, and making many tablecloths, bedspreads, and finery. Freda and John shared a love for traveling around the world, eagerly visiting all 50 states, and multiple countries and continents. Freda taught herself to use the computer at the age of 75. She enjoyed emailing her friends and relatives on a regular basis and even learned how to do online-banking. In her spare time, she would often play Solitaire and Minesweeper. She and her husband, John, were square-dancers, and loved traveling around the country in their RVs. John Carey passed away May 19, 1996. In March 15, 2005, Freda married long-time friend Joseph Betschart, who also loved traveling in their RV. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, David Paul Carey in 2013. Her husband John Riley Carey, and later Joseph F. Betschart; sisters Margaret Webber, New Glarus, Wisconsin, and Helen Phillips, Holland Patent, N.Y.; brothers Arnold Klossner, Holland Patent, N.Y., and Fred Klossner, Ocala, Fla., and her step-daughter Janice Marashian, Utica, N.Y. Freda is survived by her son Dale Carey, Oakland, Oregon; her daughter Darlene Rhoades (Larry), Bakersfield, Calif.; brother Paul Klossner (Gerry), Sebring, Fla.; grandchildren Jeffrey Wilson, Waldport, Ore., Natalie Carey, Jake (Jennifer), and her great-grandson John Richard Carey; daughter-in-law Denise Carey Topham, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; step-son Daniel Carey (Barbara), Summerville, S.C.; step-grandchildren Lisa and Steve Marashian, Utica, N.Y., and Denise, Donna, David Carey, Summerville, S.C. The Carey family would like to thank those who helped Freda stay independent and live at home on her own until her final days. This would not have been possible without the loving care and support of her caregivers: Yvonne, Liz, and Cheryl, who went above-and-beyond for Freda, often calling after their shifts just to say "hi," or check on her. Also, we cannot express enough gratitude to the wonderful families in the neighborhood who often stopped in to check in and keep her company. Cameron and Anna Ingalls, especially, who made themselves available to Freda day or night whenever she needed help, even bringing her trash cans in every week. Special thanks to French Hospital, Dr. Vatsa, Wilshire Hospice of San Luis Obispo, and her amazing nurse Robin who not only helped Freda in her final days, but also gave our family strength and guidance during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Wilshire Hospice, or the charity of your choice .

Freda Marie Carey

January 8, 1921 - May 4, 2016