Freda C. Hardister

Freda (Boore) Hardister 86, of Pittsburg, KS. Freda's faith became sight on June 5, 2022. Today, she celebrates her homecoming with her husband, family, and friends in the presence of Jesus.

Born on March 9, 1936, on a farmstead in rural Girard, Kansas, to Ted and Gladys (Geier) Boore, Freda was taught to savor the simple things in life, work hard, and display the love of her Savior in her daily walk. She loved the life she led on the farm, recalling memories of gardening, canning, and milking cows (even on her wedding day)!

Freda’s education began in a one-room country school, later transitioning to Girard High School, from which she graduated with the Class of 1953, as a proud Trojan. Upon graduation, Freda was a clerk at the Crawford County Courthouse.

Freda met Jack Hardister at a wiener roast during a blind date. They were married on an icy evening in 1957. Freda was the first person at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Girard, to wear a wedding gown. Jack and Freda were married nearly fifty years before he proceeded her in death in 2006.

As the years passed, Freda’s role as a loving mother evolved into another role she most enjoyed – Grammy. Grammy and Papa’s home was always open to their children and grandchildren. Together, the family savored delicious meals around the large family table, strolls through their famous azalea garden, and long visits on the porch.

While in the workforce, Freda served as a clerk at the US Census Bureau and payroll clerk at Pittsburg State University's Physical Plant, where she was awarded Employee of the Year in 1982 and from which she retired in 1998. In her younger years she served two years as PTA President at Lincoln School.

Freda was extremely organized and kept excellent records. She enjoyed attending events involving her grandchildren, "good" music, playing games with family, and making impressive scrapbooks of her family and ancestors. Freda accepted Christ as her savior as a young girl. Her life reflected her beliefs. She was a charter member of Meadowside Baptist Church in Pittsburg. She was a faithful and active member and served many years as church clerk and pianist. She continued as church pianist until the Covid pandemic, at over 84 years of age. She was pianist at countless weddings, funerals, and social functions over the years. She used her talents until the end.

To say Freda was a good cook is an understatement. Over the years she blessed many neighbors and friends with her cooking ministry. Her coconut meringue pies and rhubarb pies were a few of her most requested items. Often trick-or-treaters would return a second time around the block for her handmade popcorn balls. Her family was often blessed by her homemade, delicious meals. Frozen pie crusts, rolls, or noodles never graced her table.

In 2014, Freda was selected as Little Balkan's Day Queen, representing Oakview Estates in Frontenac, who provided outstanding and personalized care during her final years. Here she enjoyed playing Bingo, playing the piano and porch sitting.

Freda is survived by her daughter Holly Viets of Pittsburg, KS and son Greg Hardister (wife Michelle) of Opolis, KS; as well as grandchildren: Joel (wife Lindsey, daughter Rynn) Viets of Frontenac, Shawnee (husband Josh, son Sloane) Lorenz of Aurora, CO, Caleb (wife Lindsey, sons Bo and Jack and baby in August) Hardister of Carl Junction, MO and Cara Hardister, Opolis. Her brother Marvin (wife Judy) of Girard, KS, along with two other treasured sisters-in-law Dorothy (husband Edward, deceased) Boore and Joan (husband Wayne, deceased) Boore, also survive her. She was also preceded in death by nephews Steve Deems and Dwayne Boore.

The family welcomes fellow family, friends and community members to join them for a visitation on Thursday, June 9 from 6:00 to 7:30 at Brenner Mortuary, followed by a Celebration of Life at Meadowside Baptist Church, Pittsburg, on Friday, June 10 at 10:30. Freda will be laid to rest following the celebration alongside her husband at Highland Park Cemetery, Pittsburg. In lieu of flowers, please consider leaving a memorial payable to Meadowside Baptist Church and honoring her legacy by bestowing an act of kindness upon someone you know - or don’t - today. The service will be live streamed on our website (brennermortuary.com) through Freda’s obituary page. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762.

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