Posted: Friday, January 2, 2009 12:00 am
Jan. 16, 1920 - Dec. 27, 2008
Elfreda Frances Malick, 88, of Lebanon died Saturday at her home. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September. Her prayer was to have no pain and to just fall asleep. God granted her request.
Elfreda was born in St. Cloud, Minn., the daughter of Anthony and Frances (Deppa) Mehrwerth. She was raised on a farm in Minnesota and later worked as a waitress, where she met her first husband, Gerald Thompson. They were married on Oct. 18, 1943. Elfreda worked in a munitions factory during World War II while her husband was in the Army in Europe. They moved to California in 1957 and raised three children. They divorced in 1968. She married Robert Mordell on April 1, 1974, and moved to Crabtree in 1979. He preceded her in death in 1984. She then married Francis Malick on Aug. 30, 1986, and they settled in Lebanon. He preceded her in death in 1989. Elfreda had worked in food service at various hospitals in California and locally at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.
She was a member of the Lebanon First Assembly of God, the Lebanon Christian Women's Club and Women's Aglow Elfreda cherished her family and wanted all of them to love the Lord. She often sent care packages with lots of surprises to her family living far away. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining, hosting Bible studies in her home, visiting the sick and caring for others, and was always joyful and kind to everyone.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Kenneth and Norma Thompson of Lebanon, Kathy and Kurt Goss of Lebanon, and Leroy and Mary Thompson of Whittier, Calif.; sister Jeanette Fredrickson of Anoka, Minn.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Jerry Mehrwerth; and sisters Marcella Kampa, Lorraine Walz, Florence Wayman, Delores Arneson and Alice Mouser.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Lebanon First Assembly of God.
Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and sent in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355.