Elfrieda "Frieda" Irene DeHaai, age 98 of Monroe, passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at West Ridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Knoxville. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10:30 am at the Prairie City United Methodist Church. Burial will take place at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the Prairie City United Methodist Church. Memorials may be directed to the Pleasant Hill Country Church or the Marion County Humane Society. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

Elfrieda Irene DeHaai, daughter of James Veaty Musgrove and Julia Ann Crow Musgrove was born on July 27, 1927, in the town of Bussey, Iowa in Marion County. She was born the youngest of 8 siblings, when her mother was 48 years old. "Frieda" lived life to the fullest in small-town Iowa. Already an "aunt" to several nieces and nephews, she had plenty of playmates. She met the love of her life and her soul mate, Kermit DeHaai on a blind date. After a whirlwind courtship, World War II would call Kermit to join the Navy and the day before induction Kermit and Frieda were married on February 5, 1945, at the Methodist parsonage in Prairie City. Frieda finished high school before graduation in 1945 and joined the war effort in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, making radio transmitters. It wasn't long before Frieda joined Kermit in Norfolk Virginia. Japan surrendered and Kermit and Frieda began their lives. They started in Newton with Kermit employed by Maytag but he longed for the farm and so they moved to an area by the "boxcars" on the bottoms by Percy, Iowa. They went on to purchase some land and moved into the "home place" when Kermit's folks moved to Prairie City. To this union was born a son, Jay Kelly in 1949 and a daughter, Jennie Alice in 1952. Kermit and Frieda farmed and fed cattle and in 1954 started the earth anchor manufacturing business DeHaai Mfg Co. with Russell and Hazel DeHaai. This business continued with a new building and the addition of Kermit's invention of the "Reel-Tite" fence tightener in the 1970s when the new company, Kermco-DeHaai, Inc was created. Frieda kept the books, did the taxes, and eventually Jay and Jennie joined the business. Kermit and Frieda's ultimate challenge was the invention of the "Bumblebee" self-propelled disk in the 1980s. In 1964 they built a new house just up the road east of the home place where they would live for 49 years.

Frieda often considered writing a book about all the adventures she and Kermit shared. They were both collectors; Frieda had a large collection of glassware, head vases, jewelry, dolls, hats, postcards; they enjoyed attending auctions, flea markets, and garage sales. Frieda was a lifetime member of Pleasant Hill Church where she played the organ and piano, taught Sunday School and sang. She was a member of the Pleasant Hill Women's Society and was involved in various committees there. Frieda and Kermit enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle with their long-time friends Bob and Lee Main. They would travel as a four-some to various "time-shares" around the country to do a little sight-seeing and a lot of card playing! Other travel took them to Alaska, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, Canada and most of the Continental US. Kermit and Frieda enjoyed their dogs and cats; in fact, any animal that showed up on their doorstep was guaranteed a home!

In 2013 Kermit's health was beginning to fail and the decision was made to move to Independence Village in Pella, Iowa. It was a tough move, but they adapted to their new digs! Kermit continued to decline in health and then moved to the Cottages in Pella in 2014 while Frieda took an apartment on the independent side of Independence Village. Frieda faithfully went to sit with him each afternoon until Kermit's passing on November 6 of 2017. Kermit and Frieda were blessed to enjoy 72 years of marriage.

Frieda continued to thrive in her apartment. In later years she enjoyed coloring, reading her devotions, books and magazines, watching TV, eating out with her family and friends and of course outings with Jennie. Her cat, Lily Belle, continued to be a constant and loyal companion. Frieda played Bingo and enjoyed lunches with her friends at the Village. Visits with friends and family and playing games and enjoying fellowship with her church family brought so much pleasure to her life! Her faith was strong and unshakeable; her foundation was the Lord, and he continued to show her the way no matter how rough the path. She often said she was not afraid; she was looking forward to her eternal home with the Lord where she would join Kermit and her family and friends!

Frieda was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Kermit, her son Jay, her siblings Garnet, Daisy, Vernie, Archie, Jim, Curt, Kay, and their spouses, all Kermit's siblings and their spouses and many nieces, nephews, and good friends. She is survived by her daughter, Jennie (Arvin) VanWaardhuizen, grandchildren Alan (Vicki) DeHaai, Jayson (Kristi) DeHaai, Janine (Jeff) Bauer, and David (Lynn) Deal. Great-grandchildren Zachary (Makayla) DeHaai, Dalton (Jaslynn O'Dougherty) DeHaai, Matthew, Jessica, and Ashley DeHaai, Cohen and Norah Bauer, and Dawson Deal. Great-great grandchild Daxton DeHaai and newly born great-great grandchild Daison Anthony DeHaai, many nieces and nephews and of course Lily Belle who has now adopted Janine's family!

Elfrieda is also survived by her "adopted daughters"; Sue who affectionately named Elfrieda "our Queen", Pastor Mary, Charlotte, Margie and Carol, Melissa; her favorite Applebee's waitress, and Ole; special friend and cleaning connoisseur! Special thanks to the Westridge Nursing Home team and Care Initiatives Hospice for making Mom's final days such comfort for her and her family.