Frieda Anna Bender was born in Detroit, Michigan. Growing up through the depression years, she worked part time in a grocery store during her teen years, helped care for her younger siblings and graduated from Detroit's High School of Commerce.

She married Henry Schaefer in 1935, and their only child was born a year later. Frieda was a devoted homemaker, only working outside the home to help with the financing of their daughter's college education. She enjoyed her part time work at the Ditzler Color Company. They were able to pursue the American Dream and purchase their own home in the 1940s. They relocated to Lompoc in 1977, where they enjoyed their retirement years.

Beloved mother of Elfrieda Joanne Plo, grandmother of Karen (Don) St. John and Kathryn (Scot) Hammond, and great grandmother of Trevor Hammond, Morgan Hammond, T.J. Hammond, and Brian St. John, who survive her. She is also survived by her brother Harold Bender and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Henry in 2005, just one month to the day prior to his one hundredth birthday. She was also preceded in death by her parents Anna and Benjamin Bender, her brother Arthur Bender, and her sister Wanda Shearer.

The family wishes to express special thanks to the Valley Haven Senior Day Care Program, to the Doug Pike family, to the Lindells, to the First Presbyterian Church of Lompoc, and to the doctors and nurses who cared for Frieda over the years.

Starbuck-Lind Mortuary is handling arrangements. Memorial gifts may be sent to Valley Haven, P.O. Box 950, Solvang, CA 93464. Interment will be at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.