"All of us in the Merle Caraway Family remember what good neighbors we had with the Delarm Family right up the road from us when we lived right north of Monmouth. We want to express our sincere sympathy in the loss of Freda. She was a great lady, just as you all are great folks; and it was people like you that are the reason that I have such fond memories of growing up in the Monmouth Area. May Your Good Memories Exceed Your Sorrow. Take Care!"
In loving memory of
Freda M. DeLarm
August 28, 1931 - March 19, 2020
Freda M. DeLarm, 88, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Thursday morning, March 19, 2020, at Crestridge Nursing Home in Maquoketa, Iowa.
A private family graveside service and burial celebrating her life will take place on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello, Iowa. A private family visitation will be held at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Please feel free to call or stop at the funeral home with notes of condolence or leave words of comfort on the funeral home website at www.CarsonAndSon.com. (Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a State of Public Health Disaster which includes mass gatherings: Social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people are hereby prohibited at all locations and venues, including but not limited to parades, festivals, conventions, and fundraisers. Planned large gatherings and events must be canceled or postponed until after termination of this disaster)
Freda Mable Covington was born on August 28, 1931 in rural Central City, Iowa, to Julian Lester and Bessie (Moyer) Covington. She attended country school in Langworthy and then Monticello High School. She married Gerald "Jerry" DeLarm on March 25, 1951 in Monticello, Iowa.
Freda had first worked at a dime store in Monticello and then for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids and later Anamosa. She also farmed with her husband in Langworthy and lastly Monmouth until July of 2018 when they moved to Maquoketa.
Freda was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church in Monmouth. She was a very easy going and loving person. She loved her family, bowling, dancing, roller skating, flowers and gardening, birds, animals, camping and fishing. She always enjoyed socializing and they camped for over 30 years traveling all over the United States with friends and family.
Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Gerald "Jerry" DeLarm of Maquoketa, IA; children, Gary (Pam) DeLarm of Maquoketa, IA, Dale (and the late Marjorie) DeLarm of Delmar, IA, and Kathleen (John) Martin of Bernard, IA; a step-son, Brad (Janet) Petersen of N. Liberty, IA; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; a brother, Eldon (and special friend Sylvia) Covington of Anamosa, IA; a sister Belva Covington of Monticello, IA; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Galen and Lawrence, sisters Wilma, Hilda and Margaret, a daughter-in-law Marjorie DeLarm, and a great-grandson Tyler.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Jackson County or the Faith United Methodist Church in Monmouth.
The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family. Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"Freda always seemed to me to have a gentle and quiet spirit with a sweet smile and kind way about her. Though I\'ve not seen her in decades I know she was so loved by and important to her family and will be greatly missed. With deepest sympathy, Cindy (Allen) Anderson"
"Freda was a very special lady. My parents were good friends of Freda and Jerry and always enjoyed visiting with them. I was always happy to see them in church and see her smiling face. My sympathy to everyone in the family."
"Remembering you and your family in prayer. You will always be in the hearts of your loved ones. "
"Our Sympathy- Freda's FAMILIES & Friends!! R I P- Freda !!"
"Freda was a 2nd Mom to me when I was growing up outside of Monmouth!!! I spent a lot of time at their home & with my friend & classmate Kathleen! She was a wonderful woman & will be dearly missed!! Sorry for the families loss, & I wish I could be there to support you through this huge loss!! My thoughts & prayers will be with you always!!"
"DeLarm Family: So very sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers. "
"Our prayers and sympathy to all of you!"
"My sympathy and prayers for all of Freda's loved ones. Peace be with you all."
"Jerry and family: I am sadden to hear of your loss. May God hold her in his arms and for you folks to me she was a wonderful lady to visit with many times after church and when you folks came to our Maquoketa church services. Loved her smile and quite ways. She will be missed I am sure but she is at peace now."
"Jerry & family, We were saddened to hear of your loss. We are happy for Aunt Freda as her entry to heaven must be so glorious for her. I always thought she had a calmness about her that made you feel that calmness when visiting with her. She was oh so proud of her family. May God wrap His arms around all of you & grant you Peace. Randy & Sue Brokaw"
"Dear Gary and Pam, Freda was such more than a kind person, also a loving grandma, and great grandma ma."
"I sat behind Jerry and Freda at church, While I didnt know them but a few years I will certainly miss Freda at church. So sorry for your loss Jerry and family."
"Jerry and family, I am so sorry to hear of Fredas passing. She was such a nice lady and the Van Dorns loved her. Take care and I'm sending hugs and prayers. With deepest sympathy, Deb Van Dorn"
"Kathleen and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Susie (Bickford) DeMoss"
"So sorry for the loss of your mother, grandmother, wife. She was a very kind loving lady . RIP Freda"
"Jerry, I am so sorry to hear about Freda. Sending my prayers to you and your family. I am just sure that Freda and Bob are visiting in heaven, since Bob just passed away on the 18th of March. Both of you have been such very good friends. May she soar with the angels. Katie"
"DeLarm Family, So sorry to hear of your loss. What a very nice lady, always smiling. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Freda's Family; We often wonder why God puts more on our shoulders than we can handle, especially at times like this. Even though we cannot be there to give you our condolences, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We have many memories of having your family as neighbors. Jerry and Freda were one of the last couples from the "old days neighborhood." My mom-Delores Neal and I enjoyed reminiscing old times and having quality conversations at the Monticello Pizza Ranch and the nursing home when your folks came to visit. It is always hard to be the parent of your parent's, as many of us know. -Jody Nowachek-Miller and Family"
"I am so very sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed conversing with Freda; we shared cancer issues and we were supportive of each other. My sympathy to the whole family, she was a wonderful wife and mother."
"Freda & Jerry usually sat behind us in Church. She always smiled and visited with us. She was so sweet and never had a complaint about anything. We will miss her and know she is still smiling. Our prayers go out to Jerry and family."
"Aunt Freda I am always thinking of you when I bake peanut butter cookies! I have your recipe! Thank you for always welcoming me as Kathleen?s shadow asI grew up! Sure miss the family times! "
"My dear friend jerry so sorry to hear of freda passing away. I will keep you in our prayers always. "
"Always enjoyed seeing Jerry and Freda when they came to visit my Dad Jerrys Uncle Dan Shirley. She was always such a sweet lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jerry and his family. ?"
"My family often visited Jerry and Freda , back when you still went to others for social visits She always had something baked! Later in life I grew to enjoy wonderful cakes she would make for special events in my family, and was a talented seamstress also. She did always has a very pleasant personality. So we send our deepest sympathy to her family. I am also sad she passed at this strange time of the Virus. "
"Freda was a very wonderful lady, known her all my life and i don't think i ever heard say anything bad about anyone.. Will miss her smile at church, you will leave us with a smile on our face when we think about you...God is getting a special angel for sure."