Freda Merilee Payne-Folkerts

Freda Payne Folkerts departed this life on June 18, 2019, in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, moving to her long home in Heaven to be reunited with friends and loved ones who preceded her. Freda Merilee Phillips was born to Reverend Thomas Henry and Zella Sherman Phillips on August 11, 1927 in Bolivar, Missouri. She resided with her family in Bolivar, Missouri, Ojai, California and Seattle, Washington. Being the youngest of four siblings, Freda always enjoyed being the center of attention. After graduation from Bolivar High School, she attended Southwest Baptist College and taught school for a short time in a one room school in Cliquot, Missouri. While teaching in Cliquot, she met and fell in love with Marvin Payne of Polk, Missouri. Freda and Marvin Payne were married on November 2, 1946. To this union, Carolyn Sue and Marvin Doyle were born while Freda and Marvin resided in Springfield, Missouri. In 1957, this family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Freda and Marvin lived until retirement to Springfield, Missouri in 1984, where Marvin passed away in 1989. Freda met Ray Folkerts in a walking club in Springfield in 2000. After a short courtship, she and Ray were married on October 14, 2000. They eventually moved to Grimes, Iowa where Ray was from, to be closer to Ray’s daughter and husband, Netha and Dick Pipho who provided much assistance and support to Freda and Ray. Ray passed away in 2012, after which Freda chose to move to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Ed Summers. Carolyn and Ed admirably assisted Freda in her last years and alleviated virtually all concerns she had. At her death, she resided at the Arboretum assisted living facility. Freda made peace with the Lord in her early 20’s and was a lifelong member of the Missionary Baptist Church. She relished domestic pursuits: cooking, knitting, crafts, and reading among them. She was an accomplished pianist, playing in church for many years and loving to play for others when presented with an opportunity. Freda was predeceased by husbands Marvin Payne and Ray Folkerts, her parents, T.H and Zella Phillips and siblings, Max Phillips, Lois McAdoo and Edwin Phillips. She is survived by daughter Carolyn Summers (Ed), son Marvin Doyle Payne (Pamela), four grandchildren, Lisa Summers, Philip Summers (Stacy), Colleen Mohn (Phil) and Andrew Payne. Also surviving are four great grandchildren, Ashlyn Mohn, Kaylee Mohn, Madison Mohn and Vaughan Summers. Also surviving Freda are her step family and many nieces and nephews. At Freda’s request, cremation was performed in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin with final interment beside her first husband, Marvin Payne, in the Payne Cemetary, Polk, Missouri.

Freda Merilee Payne-Folkerts

August 11, 1927 - June 18, 2019