March 6, 1932 – January 30, 2015
It is with profound sadness that the large and extended family of Freda announces the passing of the matriarch of the family. Freda was born in Edmonton to Carl and Lillian (Woolley) Jensen, second eldest of 4 children. The family farmed in Peavine, Alberta until 1942, moved to Calgary and White Rock before finally moving to Westsyde in 1947, settling on Westysde road to farm. Freda soon met the tall, dark & handsome neighbour across the road, Mike Bebek and they married in 1949. In 1950 Mary was born, Michael followed in 1951. In 1953, Mike’s family relocated to the Lethbridge area with Mike, Freda and kids moving into what became the Bebek family home for the next 58 years. In 1958 Walter was born and in 1960 Christina followed. The Bebek family was one of the original 16 families that farmed in Westsyde. Mike worked various jobs at the sawmill and CNR, while raising cattle, pigs and chickens and a very large garden to feed the family, Freda raising the children and working as a farm wife. The Bebeks’ were known in the valley for the Golden Beauty corn they grew for sale.
Freda took a secretarial course once the children were on their own, and she worked for the Ministries of Environment and Highways and loved working and the close knit group of people. During this time Mike and Freda continued to farm, mainly alfalfa and many a school child used to cut across the farm land to reach Westysde Secondary School. Freda continued working for ten years, until Mike became ill and she retired to spend his last days with him. It was around this time that Mike and Freda stated developing the farm land into residential lots and Bebek Road is still considered one of the best streets to live on in Westsyde.Read More & Leave Condolences »
