Freda F. Bennett
1926 — 2016
Freda F. Bennett, 90 of Elgin, NE passed away Sunday, August 28, 2016 at the Golden Living Center in Neligh.
Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Friday, September 2, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Elgin, with Rev. Michael Davis officiating. Interment will follow in St. Boniface Cemetery in Elgin. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Elgin. Huffman-Levander Funeral Home of Elgin, is in charge of arrangements.
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Freda Florence Watson Bennett, daughter of Edwin L. and Florence (Riley) Watson, was born June 15, 1926 at Stanton, NE. The family moved to a farm northeast of Clearwater shortly thereafter where she grew up and attended rural School District # 38. She graduated from Neligh High School in 1943 and began her lifelong career in education. She taught at several country schools in the area and attended Wayne State College, graduating in 1950. As her teaching career continued, so did her own love of learning and she graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1971 with a Masters of Art in Education and again in 1972 with her Specialist Degree in Administration and Supervision.
Freda married Edmund “Pat” Bennett on May 16, 1953 at Columbus, NE. Pat & Freda resided in Howells, NE where she taught school. In 1961, they moved to Elgin where she continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools while Pat was employed at Bennett Implement. Pat died on March 13, 1968.
Freda resided at her home in Elgin, keeping involved in education. Throughout her career, she taught in Antelope, Holt, Colfax and Boone Counties. The last 18 years, she served as superintendent at Petersburg. For the last 10 years, she was the only female superintendent in the State of Nebraska. Freda retired in May 1986, with 43 consecutive years of serving the public schools of Nebraska.
Freda held such responsibilities as president of Federated Woman’s Club, president of Jolly 14 Extension Club, president of the Boone County Teacher’s Association, president of the Sandhills-Gateway Conferen-ce, president of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, and a member of Hobby Club, Nebraska Library Association, Counsel of School Administrators, Nebraska State Education Association as well as other school affiliated associations.Freda lived her retirement years in Elgin, NE. She enjoyed traveling to many states and countries abroad. She had many hobbies including crocheting, knitting, tatting, quilt making, puzzle solving, reading and traveling on bus tours. She had lots of fun mingling and visiting with friends, especially on casino bus tours in her more recent years.
Freda was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and 2 brothers: Calvin and Edwin “Buddy” Watson. She leaves behind two sisters-in-law: Vivian Watson of Clearwater, NE and Gladys Bennett of Elgin, NE; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and former students to cherish her memory.
