Obituary of Freda Ridgen

RIDGEN: Freda Ridgen (née Niles) born on July 17, 1927 lost a brief, but courageous battle with Covid 19 at her residence, Fairview Personal Care Home on December 2, 2020 at the age of 93. She is predeceased by her parents, Anna and Karl Niles; her husband, Charles Ridgen, her first husband, John Thomson; her four brothers, Ed, Adenel, Jack, Lou and two sisters, Carol and Ruth.  Freda leaves to mourn her son, Glen Thomson (Donna); grandchildren, Derek (Coral), Kelsey (Dustin); great-grandchildren, Emma and Odin and her sister, Loreen Niles as well as many nieces and nephews.  Freda grew up on a farm in Etonia, Saskatchewan. She moved to Brandon before World War II and worked at the Strand Movie Theatre, where she met her first husband John Thomson. Together they worked in the jewelry business in Glenboro, Manitoba. Freda lost her first husband, John, at a young age. Years later she met and married Charlie Ridgen, together they worked in the antique business and she helped Charlie with his crane company. She did extensive traveling for work and pleasure in her life time. Freda loved to sew, cook, read, and doted on her son and enjoyed her grandchildren immensely. She always had baking and coffee ready for company; especially her famous date cookies. Freda enjoyed maintaining a beautiful yard and outdoor space including her prized flower bed and garden. As she got older she could always be heard saying "it's a great ole life".  The family would like to thank Sandy and Gary Keeble who worked tirelessly and helped lovingly help Freda through the trials of leaving her beloved home and settling into her new residence at Fairview. Thank you to Etta and Betty for their caring and meaningful presence in Freda's life, she loved you both dearly. Very special thanks to the nurses and front line workers who treated Freda with compassion during the entirety of her stay at Fairview Personal Care Home. She will forever be in our hearts and fill us with laughter and memories that we will always cherish.   A private graveside service will take place later in the spring. If friends and family desire, donations in memory of Freda may be made to a charity of choice.