Oppenheimer, Freda Simon (1857-1943)

OPPENHEIMER, SIMON, FRISCH, BERMANN

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/11/2023 at 07:22:59

Daily Freeman Journal
Webster City, Iowa
Monday, August 16, 1943

WIDELY KNOWN LOCAL WOMAN DIES IN WEST

Mrs. Freida Oppenheimer Dies at Home of Daughter in Los Angeles.

Mrs. Freda Oppenheimer, 86, died Monday morning at 8:40 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. M.J. Frisch, 1109 South Wetherly Drive, Los Angeles, Cal. The body will be cremated and the ashes brought to Webster City some time in October when an Eastern Star memorial service, conducted by Dr. Effie McCollum Jones will be held.

Her husband, the late Joe Oppenheimer, who died some 25 years ago, is buried here. She observed her eighty-sixth birthday July 21.

Mrs. Oppenheimer, a past worthy grand matron of the grand chapter of the Eastern Star of Iowa, was widely known over this state for the intensive work she did while worthy grand matron and for many years after leaving that position. She held this position two years in 1901-2 and traveled widely over Iowa visiting local chapters and making addresses for the order. She was among the outstanding women who have served in that capacity and after retiring as grand matron continued for years to be called upon for addresses by local chapters over the state.

Mrs. Oppenheimer had been in poor health for some years. Following the death of her husband she had lived with her daughter and family here in Webster City, at Minneapolis, New York and Los Angeles. A week ago Sunday she had a heart attack and Friday suffered a stroke of paralysis. She never regained consciousness. Word of her death reached Mrs. Julius Bermann, of this city, by telephone from Mrs. Frisch.

Mrs. Oppenheimer was born in Germany. She left that country as a girl and went to England. She taught there for several years and then came to America. In Fort Wayne, Ind. she met and married Joe Oppenheimer. In 1890 the young couple came to Knoxville, Iowa, and in 1890 moved to Webster City where Mr. Oppenheimer started a clothing store. One child was born to them, a daughter June, now Mrs. Frisch, who survives her. There are also two grandchildren; Bob, who was graduated from the Webster City schools, now in the navy, and Walter, now serving with the armed forces in Australia.

Mrs. Oppenheimer had been a resident of Webster City some 35 years. She and her husband were charter members of the local chapter of the Eastern Star and Mrs. Oppenheimer was its second worthy matron. She was also a member of P.E.O.

Julius Bermann, a nephew, came from Germany when he was 12 years old and made his home with his uncle and aunt. He worked in the Oppenheimer clothing store until he bought it following his uncle's death. Aunt Frieda and Uncle Joe were father and mother to him.

During all of her active life Mrs. Oppenheimer was interested in women's club work and especially in the Eastern Star. She was a highly educated woman, popular everywhere she went and a speaker of unusual ability. Iowa chapters of the Eastern Star owe much to her for the help she gave them and the supervision she exercised over them while she was the state's grand matron. Her chief interest outside her home and family lay with this organization, whose circles will sincerely mourn her passing.