Elfriede Van Etten Obituary (1934 - 2026)

Elfriede "Frieda" Van Etten passed away peacefully on May 24, 2026, at Guthrie Corning Hospital with her family by her side. Frieda was born on August 9, 1934, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany to Engelbert and Josepha (Schmitt) Rieger. She was 1 of 10 children. She is survived by a brother, Hans Rieger, in Colorado, and a sister, Bernie, in Germany. Frieda and Judson Robert Van Etten were married on August 20, 1955. She is survived by her husband and by her children, Gary (Sharon) Van Etten, Deborah (Fred) Freeze, and David Van Etten. Frieda's happiest moments were the times she spent with her grandchildren, Stephen Freeze, Amanda Snyder, Shawn Van Etten, Kelly Van Etten, and Jason Pope, along with her great-grandchildren, Chase, Scarlett and Briar Snyder and Judson B. Kennedy. She introduced her family to German traditions and the food. Frieda enjoyed sharing her stories about her life and adventures that she had in Garmisch. She cherished several trips back to Germany to visit her family and hometown. Frieda was also predeceased by a baby girl and baby twin boys at birth; her parents; and in-laws, Judson & Bernice Van Etten. Per Frieda's wishes, all services will be private.