Darla Fredricks

Darla J. Fredricks, 58, of Sheboygan peacefully went home to her heavenly father Friday morning, August 9th 2013 at Sharon S Richardson Hospice after a tremendous 13 year battle with cancer. Darla was born March 31, 1955 in Sheboygan, WI to Donald A. and Shirley A. (Klein) Covey, a military family. She had the privilege of attending schools in California and Japan before her family settled in Sheboygan where she graduated from Sheboygan North High School, Class of 1973. Upon graduation she spent a short period attending college and working at Heritage Insurance before accepting a position in the Traffic Department at the Kohler Co. in 1976. It was here she met her two "sisters", and Mark Fredricks, who she would later marry. In 1986, after the birth of her son she left the Kohler Co. to be a stay at home mom. She was always grateful for the 10 years she was able to devote 100% of her time to her children - taking them to sports and dance practices, providing home cooked meals and helping with homework every evening, writing notes in lunchboxes, and volunteering as their "classroom mother". In 1996 Darla returned to the Kohler Co. through Kelly Services working part time in the Generators division. By the end of the year she had been offered a full time position in Customer Service, where she would finally retire from in July, 2013. Darla was one of a kind. The world has never seen such a combination of sassy compassion, quick and honest wit, and love. She was an inspiration to all who knew her, the epitome of strength and courage, but her battle field of choice was a dining room table, where she was a champion of Sheepshead, Cribbage, and Boggle. She also enjoyed traveling, especially her most recent trips to Disney with her family. She also applied her creative genius to making beautiful cards and scrapbooking. However, no hobby or pastime could compare to her love for family and friends, and the abundance of hugs she enjoyed giving them. Whether it be stamping, card club, parades, or the zoo, her friends and family were always near, and laughter was plentiful. Her children were her life, but her grandsons were her world. "Grandma Camera" found no motivation greater than spending time with her two "sweetie-peteys". She would let nothing come between talking, walking, reading and cuddling with her grandsons. No diagnosis, no chemo, no surgery could overshadow the joy her grandchildren brought her, and it was that joy that fueled her fight up till the very end. Darla is survived by her children, son Brandon Fredricks of Sheboygan and his girlfriend Rachel Streff of Milwaukee; daughter Brittany Ryan, and her boyfriend Marcello Lucas; their father, Mark Fredricks; and two grandsons, Joe and Jaylon Ryan, all of Sheboygan; and her niece, Holly Covey and nephew, Matt Covey of Fort Myers, FL. She is further survived by her two "sisters", Anna B. Slimmer (Newton) and Lynn Litt (Sheboygan), her many, many special friends, and all the wonderful people at Kohler Supply Chain, as well as her dear friend and physician Dr. Matthews, who became family, along with Nancy, Annie, Cathy, Mary Beth, Sarah, and Denise. In addition to her parents, Darla was preceded in death by her brother Tom A. Covey. Darla's family would like to thank the staff at Matthews Oncology for extending and enriching Darla's life by 13 years; the staff at Sharon S. Richardson Hospice for their diligent compassion and beautiful care, especially Terri and Sharon. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to Matthews Oncology and Sharon S. Richardson Hospice. A Funeral Service and Celebration of Darla's life will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 6:30 PM at Bethany Reformed Church (1315 Washington Ave., Sheboygan) with Pastor Bob Abel presiding. Visitation at the church from 2:30 PM until time of service. Private committal at Calvary Cemetery