Elfriede "Freda" Hildegard Vinyard

Elfriede “Freda” Hildegard Vinyard, age 86 of Canton, Michigan, passed away on January 4, 2026.

She was born in Immenstadt, Germany, on August 6, 1939. She was the third of four daughters to her late parents, Leopold and Margarethe (née Edenbeck) Häusler.

Freda was the beloved wife of the late Bob Vinyard and longtime companion of the late David Ratliff, both from Oklahoma; loving mother of two children from her marriage to Thomas G. Ashby – Roger Ashby and Sherri Kovach; proud 'Grandma Freda' of Crystal (Jeffery) Van Dam, Michelle Milne, Michael (Erica) Kovach and Oma to Monique Denski, Alexis Denski, Ava Kovach, Brayden Milne, Landon Kovach, Genevieve Milne, Lillian Van Dam and Faye Kovach. She is pre-deceased by her sisters Anneliese 'Anny' Klier (Wilhelm 'Willy'), Gertrude 'Trudy' Gill, and Rosemarie 'Ria' Bartels. Freda is also survived by her brother-in-law, Otto Bartels.

Elfriede grew up in post-war Germany and decided to leave to come to America in 1955 as a young woman to pursue her future. She lived with her sister, Trudy, until she married Thomas Ashby in May 1960. They settled in Grandview, Missouri, later relocating to Norman, Oklahoma, and subsequently within the greater Oklahoma City suburban area, where she spent the majority of her adult life. She later moved to Canton, Michigan, to live with her daughter Sherri in 2013, where she resided until her passing. She repeatedly said she was very grateful that the Lord helped her come to America and that it was her home!

She loved to travel and enjoyed meeting new people, learning about new cultures, and experiencing different ways of life. She made fast friends with anyone she met and loved adventure. Even during the last week of her life, she traveled abroad with her family to the Bahamas, where she boated and swam with stingrays. She was one tough lady! She enjoyed creating memories and was always up for whatever crazy antics her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids came up with for vacations, birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations of life.

All who knew Freda remember her for her stunning appearance at all times. She loved all of the latest fashions and accessories, such as jewelry, shoes, purses, etc. The way she dressed was an expression of her chic and elegant style. Her jewelry and other accessory selections could elevate her fashions by adding personality and style in transforming the ordinary into something unique while making her very own personal style statement at the same time. She was classy with glitz and bling! A true beautiful DIVA!

She was very social, was sharp with a quick wit, had a beautiful smile and loved to laugh. Her one liners and inside jokes were enjoyed by many and will be for many years to come. Freda had many friends and loved to keep busy. One of her favorite activities was bowling, which brought family and friends together. She also enjoyed going to the casino, playing cards, and game nights with family, which was a beloved activity. She played a mean game of dominoes!! and watch out if you want to play poker, she was ruthless! Family was very important to Elfriede, which could be seen in all the things she did, from her wonderful cooking to her generous nature.

She was a firm believer in Heavenly Father and in her Savior Jesus Christ, and could be found attending Sunday service regularly with her daughter. She had a huge heart contained in a very small frame!

Though she was small, she was MIGHTY!!

"How grateful we are to have been able to love so much that with her passing, we just don't know where to place all that love and emotion!"~Monique Denski

Though she has left this earthly home, she will not be forgotten, and her spirit will reign eternally with us.

Friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, on Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 4:00 P.M. until the time of the Funeral Service at 6:00 P.M. Presiding over the service is Bishop Matt Dalebout of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those who wish to honor the memory of Freda H. Vinyard are invited to consider an online contribution to the Huron Valley Humane Society, 3100 Cherry Hill Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105 in honor of her love of kitty cats or to St. Judes Research Hospital for the little babies who are sick.

Contribution envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.