Frieda Koerber

Mrs. Frieda Koerber, 94, widow of the late Henry Koerber, passed away Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006 in Chautauqua Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born July 28, 1912 in Klausa, Germany, the daughter of Linus and Ida Thekla Shumann Gleitsmann. Mrs. Koerber and her husband were married in 1935, and in 1940, while living in DeFuniak Springs during WWII, when meat was rationed, except for poultry which was bringing market prices, founded Henko.

Henko became the foundation for economic growth, not only in Walton County, but for surrounding counties of Holmes and Okaloosa and in Alabama, Covington and Geneva counties.

For almost a half century the business she and her husband established provided jobs for literally thousands of families.

In February of 1973 the business was sold to Showell Farms which later became Perdue.

Mrs. Koerber was known for her pure and simple honesty in her dealings with all people. She was a member of the Women’s Club, 50-Plus Club, and AARP. In her later years she loved working in her yards, always industrious, she mowed her own lawns. She was ta member of First Lutheran Church of Florala.

Among survivors are her daughters, Eleanor Cibiras and husband, Angelo, of DeFuniak Springs, FL and Doris Mathis and husband, Sam, of Tallahassee, FL; her grandchildren, Bobby, Carol, Mike, and Michelle; her great-[grandchildren], Luke, Aimee, Alyssa Breanne, Stephanie, Sara, Robbie, Lindsay, Teresa, and Nicholas. Her niece, Anita Lucas, and husband, Truett, of Panama City also survive.

In [lieu] of flowers memorials may be made in Mrs. Koerber’s memory to Blood Cancer Research, IWMF, 3932 D Swift Road, Sarasota, FL 34231-6541 or to favorite charities.

Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006 at 1 p.m. in Jerry Evans Chapel with Pastor Ralph Bleeke and Jack Betts officiating.


[Source: The DeFuniak Springs Herald, November 16, 2006, Page 7B]

[Burial: Magnolia Cemetery, DeFuniak Springs]