Hilda Anna Keding, daughter of Carl and Anna Frost Schumacher, was born May 15, 1909, in Dayton Township of rural Bremer County, Iowa. She was second to the youngest of eight children and baptized in 1909, at St. John American Lutheran Church in Sumner. She received her education in the Dayton Township rural school, and was confirmed in 1924, at what would become her lifelong church, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Buck Creek of rural Sumner. Hilda always enjoyed faithfully helping her parents with farm work.

          On September 25, 1927, she was united in marriage with Erwin Keding at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. They had four children together, and farmed until 1955, when they moved into Sumner. Hilda worked at various places including nursing homes in Fredericksburg and Sumner. She enjoyed working with the elderly very much, and the residents loved Hilda, too. After retiring in 1985, Erwin became ill, and Hilda took care of him for a year and a half until his death on June 23, 1986. Hilda never slowed down and was always busy enjoying her garden, flowers, canning, and baking homemade bread and cookies. She enjoyed spending time with and playing games and cards with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her many friends. Hilda was active in her church and ladies fellowship for many years. She had a deep faith in God, and loved listening to different ministers on Saturday night.

          A resident of the Tripoli Nursing Home since July of 2003, Hilda’s death occurred there on Saturday, February 19, 2011. She was one hundred and one years old.

          Her survivors include two sons and their wives, Donald and Marlys Keding of Long Grove, Iowa and Meryl and Marie Keding of Buffalo, Oklahoma; thirteen grandchildren; thirty-six great grandchildren; and ten great great grandchildren.

          In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Jean Perry in 1988, and son-in-law, Jack; a son, Max and daughter-in-law, Elaine in 1990; three brothers, Martin, August, and a brother who died in infancy; and five sisters, Bertha, Frieda, Dora, Marie, and Anna.

          Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, rural Sumner with Rev. Robert Treichel officiating. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in the church cemetery.