Freda Louise Nothnagel Shurtleff

Freda Louise Nothnagel Shurtleff, was born January 19, 1930, in St. Francis, Kansas, and passed away May 5, 2018, in Houston, Texas, surrounded by her loving family.  A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of Pearland, 2314 N. Grand Blvd., Pearland, TX 77581 with Rev. Harold Travis and Rev. Barbara Fyffe officiating. A reception will follow.    Interment at Grand View Memorial Park/Bethany Cemetery at 8501 Spencer Highway in Pasadena, TX will precede the memorial service.

Freda was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Earl Cleland and Dorothy Voss Cleland; brothers Frank and Robert Cleland; and husbands Raymond Nothnagel and Malcolm Shurtleff.  Survivors include daughters; Karen Smith and husband, David of Sugar Land; Sheryl Travis and husband, Rev. Harold Travis of Needville, TX; son, Robert Nothnagel and wife, Pam, of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandchildren:  Melanie Louise Smith; Jim Nothnagel; Ray Nothnagel; Nick Travis; Ben Travis and wife, Courtney; Sarah Burns and husband, Walter; Katherine Minns and husband, Mike; Matthew Travis and wife, Goldie; great-grandchildren; Lauren Minns and Laurel Travis; sisters Marilyn Womack and Nancy Jewell; brother William Cleland.

Freda moved from Kansas to Texas when she was 13, graduated from Pasadena High School in 1947 and attended Sam Houston State University. She married Raymond Nothnagel on March 17, 1951. They lived in southeast Houston, raising their three children there until moving to Pearland in 1975. Raymond passed away in 1989. Many years later Freda met Malcolm Shurtleff, and they were happily married from August 1, 1998 until his death in 2010. They travelled the world together and were both avid Astros fans, often attending Astros Spring Training Camp in Kissimmee, Florida.

Freda was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Pearland for over forty years, attending the Upper Room Sunday School class and enjoyed singing in the choir. She formerly attended Parkcrest United Methodist Church.

Freda was a legal secretary for Mandell & Wright, a law firm in downtown Houston, for over 40 years. She worked hard and was greatly appreciated for her reliability and attention to detail. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed square dancing, Canasta, reading, playing the piano, crossword puzzles, Wheel of Fortune and Bingo, eventually being dubbed the “Bingo Queen” at her assisted living facility. Over the years she found great enjoyment in her four-legged companions, especially her beloved PattiPug.  

Freda will be remembered for her loyalty, her sense of humor, her love of family and the Astros, and her beautiful blue eyes.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Freda’s memory to First United Methodist Church of Pearland  or a charity of your choice.