Freda M. Struchen

Freda was born on April 23,1933, in Lost Creek, West Virginia, to Guy S. and Elsie M. (Wetzel) Barnett. Freda was the baby of seven children (five boys and two girls) and was the last surviving child. She primarily grew up in West Virginia with some time spent in Pennsylvania before migrating to Washington, D.C. in her late teens.

Freda was a member of the Salvation Army from a young age. She became a soldier in the church and a band member playing several brass instruments such as the French Horn and Trumpet starting with the Clarksburg, West Virginia, Citadel Corp and other Corps throughout her life including the Southeast District of Columbia Harbor Light, and finally the Montgomery County Maryland Corp. She filled many roles: telephone operator at National Headquarters in the early 1950s, years as Home League Secretary, a Christmas Kettle counter, Angel Tree worker and other functions at the Montgomery County, Maryland Corp.

The church was instrumental in her finding the love of her life. Freda met her husband, William (Bill) E. Struchen, an Air Force soldier, at the Harbor Light Corp, where he was visiting. They fell in love and married in May 19,1951, and welcomed a daughter, Linda Darleene, born in 1952 in Washington, D.C.; and four sons, Dennis born in 1956 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Baby Struchen 1958 (stillborn) in East Tawas, Michigan; Denzel [REV., MMCS(SS) USN (formerly)] born in 1959 in Wichita Falls, Texas; and Devin born in 1970 in Bethesda, Maryland. Being the spouse of an active-duty military member, Freda and family traveled to many duty stations across the United States. Traveling was an opportunity for family adventures, fun exploring the country’s history, seeing the varied topography of our country, and meeting new friends. The family spent a lot of time together camping, exploring, playing board games, and entertaining friends. No one was a stranger and friends were made wherever they were stationed. Often, honorary family members would spend time at the Struchen home sharing a meal, eating Freda’s pies, and playing board games. Monopoly and Cootie were favorites along with Crazy Eights, Rummy, and Canasta.

Bill and Freda were a cohesive unit. They survived hardships together. Freda ran the household, not an easy task keeping the family afloat with limited funds; always making sure there was an enough to eat and roof over their heads. The children always came first. As a team, they taught their children discipline, how to respect others and belongings, and responsibility. Freda spent time as a Cub Scout leader and an Assistant Girl Scout leader among other things over the years. She was a warm, loving, and nurturing person who enjoyed baking and was famous in the friend and family circles for her wonderful pies.

At times, Freda worked from home providing daycare and ironing services, and cleaning houses. She also spent several years selling Avon products, and later worked in the office of a of bowling supply dealer. No one could ever accuse her of being lazy. Even when she was unwell, she would not let anything stop her. Family was always first.

As a young military wife and mother, Freda faced time without Bill as he served overseas in Korea and Japan. She adapted to the constant relocations across the United States. Bill and Freda moved to Rockville, Maryland, in 1966 when Bill retired as a S/Sgt from the USAF. However, this did not end their traveling and the camping adventures continued. The summer of 1966 the family traveled across the United States five times in a VW bus made into a temporary camper. During the summers, it was weekend camping trips to Ocean City, Maryland; Hershey Park, Pennsylvania; and various other locations. After the children grew up, Freda and Bill continued their travels all over the country going to Air Sea Rescue reunions, attending steam engine shows, craft markets, and visiting friends and places from the past.

Freda loved a good party and helped with a multitude of events at church, catering family events, and other gatherings. She loved to shop with her daughter, Linda, and their shopping buddies. Their favorite mega shopping trips were to the outlets in Reading, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Potomac Mills in Virginia, and midnight shopping marathons at Woodward and Lothrop and Hecht’s.

Weekends at home often involved cookouts with extended family and friends with plenty of food and yard games. No one ever walked away from a Struchen Family home hungry or before the pie was served. Freda leaves behind many who loved her and will miss her. The home wasn’t perfect, but it was happy, always open, and filled with love.

As time passes things change, Freda’s husband passed on January 25, 2009, they had been married just short of 58 years. Of course, the children grow up and the family dynamic changes. Linda married Victor Crown and has five children and ten grandchildren; Dennis is the best uncle ever; Denzel married Patricia Davis and have two daughters, and Devin married Eugenia Estep and has two sons. Freda reveled in the birth of her nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Her family was a number one priority.

Freda was a voice of reason, and the glue that held the family together. She passed peacefully on to Glory on Friday, August 23, 2024.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 10:00AM at DeVol Funeral Home, 10 East Deer park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD followed by a service starting at 11:00AM. Interment at Parklawn Memorial Park, Rockville, MD.