Freda Fontaine

Freda Fontaine, 81, passed peacefully, with her family by her side on Wednesday December 25th at The Homeland Center in Harrisburg, following her long journey with memory loss related to Alzheimer’s Disease. 

Born Elfriede Gehring in Welimirowatz, Yugoslavia (now known as Velimirovac, Crotia) on June 23, 1943 to Jakob Gehring and Anna Marie Marz Gehring. Freda immigrated to the United States with her family in 1949 generously sponsored by Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Chruch of Steelton as refugees of World War II. 

Freda attended Hershey High School where she met her future first husband Ken and her life-long best friend Barb. On February 13, 1960 Freda married Kenneth L. Kramer of Hummelstown and subsequently gave birth to her 4 sons who along with her 4 daughters-in-law survive her. These include Kenneth J. Kramer and Susan Girolami Kramer of Harrisburg, PA and The Villages, FL; Kevin E. Kramer and Melva Kramer of Jefferson, ME; Kraig S. Kramer and Lisa Kramer of Pittsfield, ME; and Kristian J. Kramer and Rachel Skillings of Portland, ME. Additionally she is survived by her brother and Sister-in-law Herman Gehring and Berdine Gehring of Jonesboro, AK; her sister Anna Marzluft of Hummelstown, PA; her brother-in-law Paul Williams and partner Linda Birgen Smith of Hummelstown, PA as well as her best friend Barbara Zuna of Hummelstown, PA. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, step grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and step great-grandchildren all of whom brought her endless joy and delight. 

She was predeceased by her parents; her second husband John Paul Fontaine; her beloved sister Hannah Williams, and nephew Chad Williams. 

Freda was a talented and creative person who excelled in everything she put her hands to. As a young adult she was a Hair Stylist trained at the former Kendell Beauty School in Harrisburg and worked at several salons in the Hummelstown/Hershey area including at the Hotel Hershey where she developed a loyal clientele. In her later years she became an accomplished seamstress and quilter making stunning quilts cherished by all her family and friends. 

On June 6, 1997, she married John Paul Fontaine and shared a quiet, peaceful life with him in their cabin on the shores of Lake Timony in Oakfield, ME. 

Her final 3 ½ years were spent with her new friends and the wonderful staff at the Homeland Center in Harrisburg, PA. 

A memorial service and inurnment will be held in the future at the convenience of the family. 

Freda loved music and throughout her life she could be seen dancing the polka at family reunions, to the music on the kitchen radio, at the weddings of her children, and at the musical events at Homeland Center. So, in her memory the family encourages you to kick off your shoes, turn up the music and dance like no one is watching.