Eileen Penny DeFriese was born on August 01, 1924, in North Platte, Nebraska, to Truman and Goldie Wilson, and was from hardy stock. She passed away peacefully in her sleep with her loving family at her side in her home on Christmas morning (December 25, 2016). She lived to the age of 92 ½ years old. Mom was supposed to be named Ruthpenny (one word) after an English lady the family knew, but they forgot to add it to the birth certificate. She was one of five children; Marvin (Sharon), Orville (Geneva), and the twins Don (Willa), and Donita (Bob).

Mom had four children; Susan (Bob) Ramsdell, David (Karen) Thomas, Charlotte (Jerry) Wilson, and Mark (Vikki) Thomas. There were ten grandchildren; Abby, Brooke, Chrissy, Darin, Jason, Ryan, Samantha, Scotty, Shana, and Tony. There were eleven great grandchildren. She was first married to Earl Pringle (Tommy) Thomas, and later to David DeFriese. Earl Pringle Thomas had three additional children, Tim (June) Thomas, Patty (Monroe) Staples, and John (Elaine) Thomas. We are all one big family. She was an itinerant traveler, and traveled all over the world, and especially loved Brazil, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and Mexico, and wintered in Acapulco for almost 30 years, with her family joining her around Christmas. Mom had a adventuresome spirit. After a long career as a District Court Reporter, mostly for Judge Dorman Steelman (Ironton, Missouri), she retired, joined the Peace Corps, and was stationed in Sierra Leon, Africa, before being evacuated after a coup. She wintered in San Destin, Florida, last year, and was planning on staying in Bear Point, Alabama, this winter. She loved to travel, never met a stranger, and made friends from all over the world. Mom was a veteran of the United States Army WAC's and enlisted at the ripe old age of 17 (put 18 down on her enlistment papers) and was stationed at Fort Roberts, in San Diego, California. Besides North Platte, Nebraska, Mom lived in Ojai, California and Denver, Colorado, before moving to Springfield, Missouri, with her husband Earl who was an advertising executive and the agent of Red Foley. He created the logo for the Frito-Lay company, which is still used today. Mom was a child of the Great Depression, but they fared well on the farm, as her Dad had a "sharp eye" as she called it, and often brought in game like pheasant, duck, goose, and venison to supplement their table. She rode a horse to school bareback across the plains of Nebraska, and stabled it in a barn adjacent to the school. Mom was an elegant and compassionate soul that never saw a fault in a single person, and was much loved by all who knew her, and loved her family to an incredible degree. We will be having a celebration of live gathering at Charlotte and Jerry's home in Galloway (3018 East Beaumont) in a few weeks. All are invited.