Alfreda Margaret Breise

Freda Breise was born June 17th, 1909 in Southern Minnesota and christened Alfreda Helena Margareta Schroeder. Freda lived the life of a farmer, herding cows and cooking meals for the farm workers. She married Frederic Herman Breise on October 7, 1934 in Minnesota. They were married for 56 years. For the first four years they resided in a small farm house located on Fred’s parent’s farm and raised turkeys. Fred’s love of flying kept them from serious farming. He used his plane for “Barnstorming”, with Freda selling rides and Fred doing the flying. .

Freda and Fred moved to National City California after they lost most of their turkeys in a snow storm. Fred and Freda purchased a home and eventually purchased 5 additional homes as rental property. Freda took care of the rental business and made most of the repairs herself. They purchased a Flight School with their brother-in-law, Carl Johnston. Freda helped run the office for the flying business, which they called “Breise and Johnston Flying Service” and later B & J Aviation Inc. Freda also ran the restaurant at the flying business every other weekend, trading off with Margaret Johnston, Carl’s wife and Fred’s sister. For several years they flew back to Minnesota in a private plane, with their children to visit their families on the farms.

Freda learned to fly and joined the group of “Ninety-Nines Inc.”, an international group of women pilots established in 1929. She flew several cross-country trips with the group. A devout Christian, Freda was actively involved in Christ Lutheran Church in La Mesa and volunteered her time in the Lutheran Thrift shop. She also made quilts for the elderly and over the years for all her children and grandchildren. She was a stay-at-home mom, raising her children, sewing most of their clothes, and still found time to manage the rentals. Fred and Freda’s homes were always open to family and friends.

Freda and Fred later moved to La Mesa, California. Fred passes away in their home at the age of 81, September 8, 1989. Freda lived on and continued to make her home available to family, helping out her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and eventually her great great grandchildren. When Freda was no longer able to care for herself, her grandson, Ray Breise moved in with her and became her caregiver until she died peacefully at home, surrounded by family members. Freda was 104 and died on, August 13, 2013.

She survived her two brothers, Alfred and Theodore Schroeder.

Freda Breise is survived by her 3 children, Vance Breise, Wayne Breise, and Jo-Ann Breise., her 10 grandchildren; Devin Breise, Robert, Spencer and Aaron Smith, Boyd, Von, Vern, Ray, Desiree and Jesse Breise, her 12 Great grandchildren and her five Great great grandchildren.

In the words of her son, Vance, “She was the most unselfish person I have ever known.” This is certainly true of Freda. It may be the reason so many loved and admired her. She will be truly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday evening at 7 PM in the Christ Lutheran Church, 7929 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942