Elfrieda Funk was born October 5, 1931, on a farm near Inman Kansas, to Jacob B. and Katherine (Pauls) Neufeld. She was the fourth of eight children and grew up surrounded by the simple joys of farm life, her brothers and sisters, and the neighborhood children who became part of her childhood adventures.

Elfrieda’s life was one marked by faith, family, service, love, and an unwavering desire to make a difference in the lives of others. She lived her 92 years with a generous heart and a deep love for God and the people He placed in her life. She passed peacefully, surrounded by family and friends who loved her dearly.

Elfrieda attended Lake Valley Grade School and, after graduating from Inman High School, moved to North Newton to work in the Missions Office of the Mennonite General Conference Church.

The summer after her sophomore year of high school, Elfrieda attended a church youth retreat at Camp Mennoscah. There, she met Marvin Funk of Goessel, who was there with his church youth. That meeting began a love story that would span more than seven decades. Their relationship blossomed, and on March 29, 1953, Elfrieda and Marvin were married.

Their family grew with the birth of their son, Merle Gene, on September 19, 1954, followed by the adoption of their daughter, Deborah Lynette, in 1960.

Together, Elfrieda and Marvin farmed near Goessel until 1976, when they moved to Hillsboro. Elfrieda devoted herself to her family and home, first as a stay-at-home mother and by helping on the farm. She later enjoyed working outside the home in a variety of roles, including as a nurse aide at Bethesda Home in Goessel, in admissions at Bethel Hospital in Newton, and for many years as Financial Officer at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro.

Elfrieda was a lifelong learner with an incredible thirst for knowledge. She loved to read and continually sought opportunities to learn, taking college courses and completing work-related training, while also making good use of church and community libraries. She believed in growing, serving, and making the most of every opportunity God gave her.

Above all else, Elfrieda was a woman of deep and unwavering faith.

She dedicated her life to Christ and was baptized in June 1947 at Bethel Mennonite Church near Inman. She attended Goessel Mennonite Church, Hillsboro First Mennonite Church, and eventually moved to Kinsley and joined the Lewis Methodist Church.

Wherever Elfrieda lived, she served. Her church was never simply a place she attended—it was a community she loved and poured herself into. Throughout her life, she served in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Care Committee, as a deacon, choir member, worship leader, and through Main Street Ministries. She was also involved with Lions Club at both the local and state levels, Hospital Auxiliary, and United Women in Faith.

Elfrieda had a servant’s heart. She loved people, and she found joy in helping wherever she was needed. Her faith was evident not only in the churches she served, but in the way she treated the people around her.

She also found tremendous joy in the everyday blessings of life. Elfrieda loved cooking for family and friends. She loved gardening, especially growing flowers, and enjoyed refinishing furniture and decorating. She loved to travel—whether for pleasure, church and Lions events, or as a tour host for Prudential Travel of Hillsboro. Over the years, she was privileged to visit all 50 states and ten countries.

Elfrieda’s greatest joy was her family.

She treasured every opportunity to spend time with the people she loved. Her daughter, Deb, blessed her with three wonderful grandchildren, and she watched with joy as each of them found wonderful spouses: Chris found Amy, Jeremy found Lindsey, and Danielle found Brian.

Then came the beautiful gift of being a great-grandmother.

She was blessed to know and love Ryleigh and Braxton Seibel, Makenzie and Logan Burr, and, most recently, Annavella—the precious miracle who came into Jeremy and Lindsey’s home.

She leaves behind Brother Ed Neufeld (Sherie)of Overland Park, her Sister Esther Regier, Hutchinson and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved Husband Marvin, Son Merle Funk, Great-grandchildren Mason and Madison Burr, Brothers Arnie, Walt, Peter, and Burt, and Sister Bertha.

Elfrieda loved her family fiercely and faithfully. She celebrated their joys, supported them through their struggles, and prayed for them always. Her love was steady, unconditional, and deeply rooted in her faith.

To know Elfrieda was to know a woman who loved Jesus, loved her family, and loved people. She gave of herself freely, served without seeking recognition, and left every place she lived a little better because she had been there.

Her legacy is not simply found in the many things she accomplished or the places she traveled. It lives on in the people she loved, the churches and communities she served, the meals she prepared, the flowers she grew, the prayers she prayed, and—most of all—in the faith she passed on to her family.

She lived a life of purpose and service, grounded in her love for Christ.

Celebration of Life for Elfrieda will be Monday October 12th at 10:00am at Lewis United Methodist Church, 406 S Lewis. Inurnment will be at 2:00pm at Hillside Cemetery in Kinsley. Memorial donations will go to Mennonite Central Committee or United Methodist Committee of Relief and Camp Mennoscah.