Freda was born July 25, 1921 to Frank and Ola Harp in Lamoni, IA. She went to school in Lamoni and was musical at an early age. She played trumpet in the Lamoni High School Band and also played piano and organ. Freda was a homemaker for many years and in the early 1960's became a professional musician playing the drums. She had performed on the Grand Ole Opry and had played with various country western bands in Northern Missouri and Southern Iowa.

A Celebration of her life will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 10, at Greenlee-Middleton Funeral Home in Princeton, MO. Burial will be held in the Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield, IA. Visitation will be held 6 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 9 at the funeral home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Gretchen Sandage, brothers, Richard and Todd Harp; son-in-law Bobby Bears. She is survived by her daughters, Afton (Jim) Wittick of Des Moines, Joyce Bears of Scroggins, TX, Judy (Jack) Kenney of Indianola; grandchildren, Steve, Melody Ann and Kimberly; 7 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her longtime companion Dean Harper.