Violet M. Frederick

Violet (Diehl) Frederick-Hiteman, 95, of Freeport, Illinois, passed away on March 12, 2026, at Oakley Courts, surrounded by her family. She was born on May 23, 1930, in Freeport, the daughter of Merle and Edith (DeWall) Diehl. Violet married Harold Hiteman on November 6, 1948, in Ogle County. They were blessed with two daughters, Cheri and Melodie. Harold passed away on November 24, 2000, and Violet later married Lauren Frederick on April 26, 2003.

A loving mother and grandmother, Violet filled her home with warmth and welcome. She kept a cookie jar full and the coffee pot ready, making every holiday a cherished occasion filled with birthdays celebrated with all the trimmings and sourdough pancakes at Christmas. Her big smile and ready kiss on the cheek brought joy to everyone around her. For several decades, she and Harold square danced with the Lucky Leafs. She found great pleasure in sewing, quilting, and knitting, and she loved sharing these creative pursuits with her family, a passion she lovingly passed on to her grandchildren.

Violet was a longtime member of the Forreston Methodist Church and the First United Methodist Church in Freeport. She volunteered at FHN on the second-floor skilled care unit alongside her daughter Mel until its closure and had been a lucky attendant for Sauerkraut Days in Forreston in 1947. Over the years, she worked at Phil’s Fresh Eggs and Smith Oil. She and Harold established Hiteman Oil and later Hi-Vi’s Gifts and Healthcare in Forreston before she settled into the role of homemaker.

Violet is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Melodie (Jim) DeWall; her six grandchildren, Heather (Tony) Collalti, Brandi (Marty) Sellers, Holli (Brian) Sanders, Jason (Karen) Feldman, Brant (Colleen) Dambman, and Joshua (Stephanie) Feldman; and her great-grandchildren, Kyle (Keely), Kane, Ty, and Gage Collalti; Caleb and Brooklyn Sellers; Kristian (Abby), Taylor, Aubrey, and Blake Sanders; Finley Feldman; and Tucker and Wade Dambman. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, her siblings Bernita (Dale) Runte, Merv (Arlene) Diehl, and Harlan (Lola Mae) Diehl, her daughter Cheri Frisbie, her sons-in-law Jack Feldman and Dan Frisbie, and her grandson Scot DeWall. Her heartfelt love will continue to live on in all of them.