Frieda Louise Kirk

Frieda Louise Kirk was born on February 15, 1936 to Friedman Horace Kirk & Vina (Smith) Kirk in Chiloquin, OR. Her mother’s family was Sioux and her father’s family was Klamath, descended from Chief Kelloque. Frieda has a half-brother, approximately the same age & one younger brother. She grew up in Chiloquin & graduated from Chiloquin High School in 1954.

She began college at Willamette University where she attended for 2 years. After a summer studying Spanish language & culture in Mexico, she returned to college & finished her bachelor’s degree at the University of Oregon in 1958 with dual degrees in Spanish language & education. After working for several years as a pool director, water safety instructor, deputy sheriff, & radio dispatcher, she began her teaching career. In 1962, she started teaching French, Spanish & English at 3 different schools & over her career taught at 14 different schools from middle school through college. Throughout this time, she also continued her pursuits as a life-long learner, studying in Nevada, Oregon, Washington & Mexico, & eventually received a Master’s Degree in French language at the Sorbonne in Paris in 1967.

In the 1970s she was part of the first Native American Theater Company called Red Earth Performing Arts, she was part of productions in the Pacific Northwest as a costumer, dresser, and actress. While she was with Seattle University’s Teatro Inigo, she performed in Indian cultural workshops & programs across 11 states. It was in the theater that she met her husband, Roger Guy Worden. Their courtship started during a play in which they both performed and continued by handwritten letter, until they were married in March of 1972. They adopted two children, Jared in 1976 & Eleanor in 1983. As new parents, they started a journal for the children, recording daily happenings as well as their own reflections about being parents. One quote illustrates her experience as a mother. “You have brought out a whole new side to us… having a child has strengthened what was already a good relationship. Somehow you cause us to appreciate life and each other so much more.” They were both active members of the choir at Unity Church and then the Lake City Christian church and at Center for Spiritual Living (CSL). Their marriage continued until Roger’s death in 1995.

Frieda retired from teaching in 2000. In retirement she enjoyed continuing to tell Native American legends & stories, spending time with her family, & devoting more time to crafts such as sewing, knitting, & quilting. Frieda was active at Haller Lake United Methodist Church, singing in the choir, & became a practitioner at CSL. She is survived by her brother Orin Kirk, her son Jared Worden, her daughter Eleanor Worden, nephews Don Gentry, Dan Kirk, Nick Worden, David Urban, Miguel Ulfeng, nieces Kristin Kirk, Erica Wilson & Debbie Ramirez.

Thank you Creator of the Universe, for the Gift of Life, you have given me.

Thank you for giving me everything that I have ever truly needed.

Thank you for the opportunity to experience this beautiful body and this wonderful mind.

Thank you for living inside of me with all your love, with your pure and boundless spirit, with your warm and radiant light.

Thank you for using my words, my eyes, and for using my Heart to share your love wherever I go.

I love you just the way you are and because I am your creation.

I love myself just the away I am.

Help me to keep the love and peace in my heart and to make that love a new way to of life, that I may I live in love the rest of my life.

Amen