Freda A. Peaster

Freda A. Peaster, 84, of Pittsburg, KS passed away peacefully at Via Christi Village in Pittsburg, KS on Monday, November 17, 2025. Freda was born on August 26, 1941 to Richard and Josephine (Murry) Wettstein. She graduated from St. Mary’s-Colgan High School in 1959. She later graduated with a degree in nursing from Pittsburg State University in 1992. Freda lived a full and storied life. She will be remembered first and foremost as a nurse, having worked in Labor and Delivery for most of her life, and even returned to nursing after her retirement as a charge nurse at a nursing home. However, she also worked in a broad range of fields throughout her lifetime as well. For a time in the 1980’s, she owned and operated her own exercise studio. She also served active duty with the United States Army from 1992 to 1996 during Operation Desert Storm, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. Furthermore, she lived in various cities throughout her lifetime as well, including Tulsa, OK, Pittsburg, KS, San Antonio, TX, Fort Sill, OK, and even Hawaii. Freda was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg, KS, and will be remembered by her family as being very family oriented. She loved being a mother and grandmother, and especially loved cooking meals for her family. She was always on the lookout for a good deal, and loved securing a bargain while shopping. She loved movies and TV, and enjoyed spending quality time with her family watching a good TV drama. She also loved animals, and was known to never turn away a stray in need. Freda is survived by her two children, Alicia (Peaster) and husband Tom Westhoff, and Richard Peaster II and wife Stephanie (Walker). She is also survived by four grandchildren, Anna Westhoff, Michael Westhoff, Natalie Peaster, and Olivia Peaster; one sister, Jeannette (Wettstein) Morey; and three nephews, Chris Rhuems, Rich Rhuems, and Eric Morey. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, Richard and Josephine (Murry) Wettstein; her siblings, Helena (Wettstein) and husband Orville Rhuems, Jody Wettstein; brother-in-law, Don Morey; and great nephew Tyler Rhuems. A Memorial Mass will be held for Freda on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg, KS. The Rosary will be recited prior to Mass at 9:45am. Cremation and funeral arrangements are made through Midland Cremation Society of Joplin, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends memorial contributions be made in Freda’s memory to any Catholic charity of your choosing. Friends and family are invited to share memories of Freda at www.midlandcremation.com

Freda A. Peaster

August 26, 1941 - November 17, 2025