Freda Elsie Lee

Freda Elsie (Schmid) Lee was born on January 15, 1940 to Walter and Genevieve Schmid of New Plymouth, Idaho. She was brought home and enjoyed a childhood growing up on the farm with her older siblings Joe and Rose E, her extended family, and close neighbors. She passed away at home in that same house on April 12, 2026, at age 86, surrounded by her loving family, especially her grandchildren who were the greatest joy of her life.

Freda attended school in Fruitland, Idaho, graduating from FHS in 1958. She was active in many events throughout high school, including playing the marimba in band. After graduation, Freda attended the University of Idaho where she studied physical therapy and nursing. It was there at the U of I where she met the love of her life, Arthur, when they both worked at Hays Hall – Art running a dishwasher in the kitchen, Freda in the dining room as head hostess. Apparently Freda had her eye on Art first, because she sent word to Art through a friend that if he asked her out on a date, she would “probably say yes.” Art mustered the courage to ask, Freda did say yes, they went bowling on their first date. From that time their love and friendship continued to grow throughout their lives.

Freda and Art were married in 1962 under the birch tree in the lawn of her house on the family farm. The newlyweds moved to Portland for 4 years where Art was working as an engineer for Hyster Corporation, then they moved back to New Plymouth to help Freda’s parents on the farm. Freda was handy at many tasks including milking, irrigating, or driving truck, but her real specialty was raising calves. She loved all cows, but Jerseys were definitely her favorite. When the farm added asparagus in more recent years, Freda became the main contact for that distribution as well.

In addition to farm work, Freda was deeply involved in the community. She was an active member of the Fruitland United Methodist Church, a 4-H leader for over 30 years, and a founding member of the New Plymouth Quick Response Unit where she served as an EMT for over 20 years. She took pride in being able to help people in their times of medical need before an ambulance could arrive, and recalled how the NPQRU first began responding to emergencies with just a few members and a Ford LTD car donated to them by the county.

Freda was definitely a fixer all her life. After her daughter-in-law died of breast cancer in 2003, Freda decided that rural women needed more access to cancer screenings, and thus began organizing visits from the mammogram bus to the “Asparagus ranch” each year for improved access for friends and neighbors. Other highlights of Freda’s life include being named Farm Bureau District 4 Farm Wife of the Year in 1982. For many years, Freda helped host farm tours for area school children, giving students a chance to really see and feel a farm. Her favorite station was helping kids milk a Jersey cow by hand– especially their amazement as they discovered that milk is warm when it first comes out of a cow!

Art and Freda’s home was welcoming to all. They hosted multiple exchange students over the years as well as many other youth or young adults who stayed with them for various amounts of time when someone needed a place to stay or whose parents thought they needed some time on the farm to learn about the value of hard work. It was guaranteed that if you stopped by Art

and Freda’s house, you would be welcomed in to the kitchen where you could eat, talk, and connect.

Freda was an amazing cook. As a child of the depression, she believed “waste not-want not,” and could find a recipe for any food that might be raised, foraged, or caught. She loved to both share and receive recipes, and her recipe box is another example of the breadth of her friendship with others. Freda was actively engaged in her community throughout her whole life, meeting and connecting people even through her last days.

Freda was preceded in death by her parents (Walt and Gen), her siblings (Joe and Rose E.), and an infant daughter. She is survived by Art (her husband of almost 64 years), her 3 children and their spouses (Galen and Cindy Lee, Ramona and Leonard Mess, Genaura and Todd Wells), and her numerous grandchildren, including those connected by blood, marriage, employment, or friendship. She cherished all who called her mom, auntie mom, or grandma, and who shared a mutual love.

The family is grateful to the staff of Cascadia of Payette for her care during rehab for a broken leg, and to Ancora Hospice who made it possible for Freda to come home to spend her last few days in her literal lifelong house/home where she lived for 80 of her 86 years of life, surrounded by family, including Travis, Justin, and Taylor of whom she was so proud.

Freda’s celebration of life will be held on Friday, April 24 at 1:00 pm at the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario, Oregon, with arrangements handled by Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel in Payette. The service will be live streamed and recorded for those unable to attend in person. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Fruitland United Women in Faith at the Fruitland UMC, Ancora Hospice Legacy Foundation, or a charity of your choice, particularly those supporting youth or music.

Please Click Here to View the Service Livestream