Freda J. Smith

Alfreda (Freda) Jeanette Smith, 86, of Valley Falls, KS, passed away at her home on December 29, 2025 surrounded by her family. She was born January 17, 1939 in Corning, KS to the parents of Vincent J. and Mary A. (Skaler) Eisenbarth.

As a child she attended elementary school in Bancroft until it closed and then the family moved closer to Holton where she attended middle school. Wanting to be back with her classmates from Bancroft, she would graduate from Circleville High School in 1956.

Freda married Norman R. Smith at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Holton on January 19, 1957. She would join Norman on their dairy farm south of Valley Falls and were blessed with a son, Dennis E. Smith. Freda was a dedicated farm wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved her family immensely.

She would later take work off the farm and that included a short stint at the State of Kansas; seven years as the Office Manager/Bookkeeper at Haul-Mor Manufacturing in Valley Falls; and later working for the United States Postal Service (USPS) from 1973-1999. She worked first as a Postal Clerk in Topeka, KS for a short time and later was promoted to Postmaster in Denison and eventually Mayetta, retiring from there in 1999. After retirement, she worked for Mercer Funeral Home from 1999-2024.

Freda was active in several clubs over the years including, Vallerians, Blue Mound Community Club and St. Mary’s Alter Society.

Nothing meant more to Freda than her family, especially her grandkids and great grandkids. She was always present at her grandkids sporting activities, 4-H activities and other life events. Babysitting and spending time with grandkids and great grandkids was her favorite pastime. Grandma was always up for a card game or a boardgame with them. And the grandkids were usually treated to her homemade meals, excellent cookies and were always sent home with a baggie full of goodies. She was an excellent cook and baker. She baked and decorated countless wedding cakes for family and friends over the years. She also enjoyed gardening and canning, and most years had a sizeable garden at the farm, something she and Norman enjoyed doing together. She will be greatly missed by all of her family. She was the perfect, Mom, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband Norman R. Smith; her parents, Vincent and Mary Eisenbarth; and brother Eugene Eisenbarth.

Freda is survived by her son Dennis (Kathryn) Smith, Valley Falls, KS; 3 grandchildren, Gayla (Darrin) Figge, Onaga, KS, Donny (Daina) Smith and Justin Smith, Valley Falls, KS; 5 great-grandchildren, Tyree Figge, Delaney Figge, Grady Smith, Camden Smith and Hudson Smith.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2026 at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Valley Falls, KS. Rosary will be recited 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 4, 2026 at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls with visitation to follow until 4:00 p.m. Freda will lie in state Saturday, January 3, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.

Memorials are suggested to the Valley Falls Athletic Association, Pottawatomie County Fair Association or Jefferson County Hospice c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.