Friederike Munton
Friederike Munton, 88, of La Habra, Calif., died on Sept. 30, 2024, at her home.
She was born on Nov. 23,1936, in Linz, Austria, the daughter of August and Stephanie Sippl Reiter.
She came to the United States in 1958 and over the next several decades made her home in locations from coast to coast. During this time, she began dating Larry G. Munton, subsequently entering into marriage in 1967 in Pinckneyville.
When Friederike first moved to the states, she settled on the State of Maryland, staying there for six years. Illinois became the next state that she would call home. Here is where she would meet and marry Larry and where she would spend her next 25 years.
After leaving Illinois, she and her husband moved to California, spending 15 years there, before moving back to Illinois for 19 more years.
As she got older the coastline seemed to call her name and she packed up and moved again, this time to Florida for three years but for the last two years she called California home.
Art was very much a part of who she was, and she loved to create beauty with her hands. She enjoyed drawing and painting, but her true talent was seen in her sewing abilities. She designed and created clothing for many years, on a professional level.
She also brought with her her culinary skills from Austria, and created tasty European dishes for her family to eat while they were growing up.
She was a loving and caring wife and helped to keep her family going, as a unit. She was strong, persistent, and talented in many ways. She gave her sons the guidance they needed as young men and the strength and confidence to excel in life in adulthood.
Her charismatic personality drew people to her, and she made friends with all her neighbors and coworkers. Obtaining her LVN license from Kewanee Community College, she worked for the Kewanee Hospital for several years.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Alto Pass, as well a member of the German club in San Diego, Calif.
Preceding her in death were her parents, August and Stephanie; son Dean F. Munton; and brother William Reiter.
Survivors are her son, Carlos (Isela Munoz) Santiago of Whittier, Calif.; grandchildren Christopher Munton of Geneseo, Brennan, Jennifer and Tyler Munton, all of Knoxville, Tenn., and Carl L. (Jenae) Garrison of Nebraska; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; siblings Rudolf Reiter of Austria and Gusti Johnson Lodi of California.
Funeral services were at noon Friday, Oct. 18, at Assalley Funeral Home at 118 E. College in Greenville.
Burial followed at McKendree Chapel Cemetery in Keyesport.
Assalley Funeral Home in Greenville was in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or to offer condolences to the family.