Freda LaVonne Rees, 89, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, October 20th, at Salina Regional Health Center.

Freda was born in Rural Kipp, Kansas on August 18, 1932, a daughter of Mildred I. (Rothrock) and Raymond Spellman.

She graduated from Kipp High School and Brown Mackie College, Salina. She was the Salina United Way Volunteer of the Year 2020, won the Nancy Klostermeyer Award for Service, was a Salina Food Bank Volunteer for 25 years, and delivered for Salina Meals on Wheels.

She was a member of the First Covenant Church for over 20 years where she volunteered for mother’s hour, bible study, in the kitchen, and other various jobs within the church.

She was an Administrative Assistant at St. Francis Academy in Atchison and Salina for 22 yrs. She retired in 1998. Freda also worked at Salina Concrete Products from 1951-1959 and Schilling AFB Hospital from 1960 -1965.

Freda also enjoyed reading, volunteering, Genealogy, sports, and baking.

On January 15, 1956, Freda married Verle Dean Rees in Salina, Kansas.

Survivors include numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Verle on Feb. 16, 1999; her parents; brothers, A. Lee Spellman, Alvin Spellman, David Spellman, Robert Spellman; and sister, Lola Sisler.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 30th at First Covenant Church in Salina, Kansas. To watch the live stream of the service, visit www.FCCSalina.com.

Private family graveside will be held at a later date at Prairiedale Cemetery, Talmage, Kansas.

Donations may be made to First Covenant Church, St. Francis Academy, or the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank, sent in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio St., Salina, Kansas 67401.