Alda Mae Tanking Frey 85, of Chandler, Arizona, formerly of the Bern, Kansas area died peacefully on Monday, June 13, 2022, at her home in the Sunbird Retirement Community.

Alda was born on April 15, 1937, the daughter of Alfred and Catherine Runnebaum Tanking. Alda grew up east of Seneca on the Tanking Homestead and graduated from Saints Peter and Paul High School in 1955. After high school, Alda moved to Topeka and was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for five years.

Alda married Fred William Frey of Bern on April 15, 1961. They made their home on a farm east of Dubois, Nebraska. She enjoyed homemaking, attending her children’s sporting events, playing cards, dancing, the color purple, and spending quiet time in prayer. In 2005, Fred and Alda purchased a winter home in SunBird. Alda has called this beautiful oasis in the desert her home ever since. She enjoyed meeting friends from all over the country and enjoyed the Arizona sunshine.

Alda had a personal relationship with her Heavenly Father. She was baptized into the Catholic faith in 1937. She worshipped at Saints Peter & Paul in Seneca and St. Stevens in Sun Lake, Arizona. Alda spent many hours a day in quiet time praying for our world and her family.

Alda is survived by her sons Howard Frey, of DuBois, NE, Roy (Shari) Frey of Sabetha, KS; daughter, Cindy (Russ) Wilfert, of Mesa, AZ; five grandchildren, Jacqueline (Josh) Myers, of Des Moines, IA, Jacob Frey, of Lawrence, KS, Broderick (Haley) Frey, of Manhattan, KS, Jenna (Quaid) Vuncannon of Gilbert, AZ, and Caden Wilfert, of Goodyear, AZ; one great grandson, Wiliam Myers; one brother, Elmer Tanking of Tonganoxie; two sisters, Eileen Meyer of Sabetha and Jerri Ann Matzke of Silver Lake; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by Fred as well as siblings Johnny Tanking, Regis Tanking, and Jerry Tanking.

On Friday, July 8th, there will be a 9:30 a.m. rosary and 10 a.m. mass at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic church in Seneca, KS. Burial will be immediately following.

Memorial Contributions can be made to https://neighborswhocare.com/donate/

Online messages of condolence can be left at Valley of the Sun Mortuary or www.dignitymemorial.com