Larry Gene Frieden

Larry Gene Frieden was born on June 15, 1943 in Hardtner, Kansas to his parents, Joseph and Myrtle Alberding Frieden. At age two he gained a stepfather, George Rathgeber and the family lived in Kiowa, Kansas where Larry attended Kiowa public school and graduated with the class of 1961 from Kiowa High School. Larry attended two years of college at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma. He then married the love of his life, Millie Brown, of Kiowa and together they celebrated 60 years of marriage this summer. To this union, Larry and Millie were blessed with three children: Linndy, Cammi, and Vanndy. Following their wedding the couple moved to the Brown farm east of Hazelton where Larry began his lifetime career of farming and raising cattle. He valued God's creation and was glad for the opportunity to work the land, residing on the family farm for all their married life.

Larry accepted the call of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at age 23 and became a member of the Kiowa Apostolic Christian Church. He served on the Board of Trustees for many years and was a faithful member of his church until the day of his death. Larry also served on the Board of Directors of the Farmers Coop in Hazelton for many years.

Larry's earthly hero was without question his father-in-law, John Brown, an immigrant from Hungary. Larry only hoped to be as dedicated and committed to farming and to church as his father-in-law was. He and Millie were blessed to visit John's hometown in Gyorkony, Hungary this past September, meeting many of Millie's surviving relatives. Larry's greatest earthly joy was his children and grandchildren. He was proud of every one of them and was not bashful about telling anyone who would listen about their talents and attributes. His church family ran a close second.... united in love and faith, he reverenced each person as his beloved Brother and Sister in Christ. Nor did his love of people stop with family. He had more friends than could be counted and was always initiating conversations with strangers from checkout lines to airline pilots on his flights to uber drivers. He would ask many questions including their political views and mostly if they knew his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His stories, frequently repeated for emphasis, were heard by people on two continents, often forcing his family members to pretend they did not know him. He remembered game scores and highlights, coaches and players from ballgames reaching back for the last 50 years...especially if they included his kids and grandkids playing in the game. And Larry was always more than happy to discuss those details with anyone that would listen.

Larry approached the end of his earthly life with the blessed assurance that his eternal life in heaven awaited. He often commented that he was soon going to that great roundup in the sky. He now has gained eternal life abiding in the presence of Almighty God's undying love.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, John and Dorothy Brown; his sister, Betty Wiley; and his stepbrothers, Kenneth Rathgeber, Dick Rathgeber, Ben Rathgeber, and Roy Rathgeber.

Survivors include his wife, Millie of the home; sons, Linndy (Deeann) Frieden of Cheney, Kansas; Vanndy (Monica) Frieden of Lees Summit, Missouri; daughter, Cammi (Brian) Hostetler of Kiowa, Kansas; grandchildren, Corry Hostetler, of - Wichita, Kansas; Keeli (Brendan) Nachbar of Kansas City, Kansas; Kacee Hostetler of Chicago, Illinois; Carsyn Frieden of Manhattan, Kansas; Cooper and Kennedy Frieden of Cheney, Kansas; Wesley, Avery, and Hayes Frieden of Lees Summit, Missouri; and one brand new great granddaughter, Elle Nachbar.

Funeral service for Larry will be Monday, December 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Kiowa Apostolic Christian Church. Viewing will be Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Matt Schupbach and John Lehman will be officiating. A prepared meal will be served in the Apostolic Christian Church Fellowship Hall following the interment at Rose Hill Cemetery in Hazelton, Kansas. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home Inc. of Kiowa. www.lanmanfuneralhome.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

In lieu of flowers the following memorials are suggested by the family: Kiowa Apostolic Christian Church or Kiowa District Hospital.