Born during the Depression on January 12, 1937, in Kellerville, Texas, Freddimae Lorelei ‘Fiene’ White arrived full of spunk and curiosity. She was raised by her parents Frederick and Mina Fiene on a farm in Green Ridge, Missouri where the seeds of her vibrant imagination began as she spent hours lost in books or playing outside beside her lifelong friend and neighbor, Millie.

In 1961, she married John Robert White whom she called “Johnny Bob”. Together they raised two sons—John and Jeff—who kept her on her toes. Clever mom that she was, she once packed them sandwiches for a spur-of-the-moment “runaway escape”—which ended just half a block down when the boys realized that home, with Mom, was the best place to be.

Freddimae was a 1955 graduate of Green Ridge High School and then earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Central Missouri State University. Later she earned a master’s degree from Webster University. Her education and love for teaching was a gift to the thousands of students in grades kindergarten through third that she taught in the North Kansas City School District. Her 31-year career spanned many elementary schools: Oak Ridge (1959), Briarcliff (1960-66), Englewood (1976-79), Davidson (1980-84) and Nashua (1984-2001).

Retiring in 2001 opened the door to what she called her happiest years: pouring love into her granddaughters, Hannah Jane, Lucy Mae, and Jenna Lea. Nana’s house was the epicenter of creativity and fun: sewing lessons, tea parties, cursive handwriting practice, and always the girls’ favorite snacks. She provided endless days of transforming cardboard into neighborhoods, flower petals into dolls, and turning the simple into something magical.

When she wasn’t teaching or loving on her family, Freddimae was busy sewing, tending her vegetable garden, learning how to keep the weeds away, listening to books on tape, or baking cookies. She found joy in gatherings with her “old friends,” church community at Good Shepherd United Methodist, and her cherished retired-teacher friends who gather every year on the first day of school.

Freddimae passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, at 88 years old. She still lived independently in her home of 64 1/2 years in Kansas City, Missouri-just as she always wanted.

She was preceded in death by her parents Frederick and Mina Fiene, sister Arline Farley, brother Donald Fred Fiene, and husband of 57 years, John Robert “Johnny Bob” White.

She leaves behind her sons John Robert and Jeffrey (Diannah) White; granddaughters Hannah, Lucy, and Jenna; nieces Renee Dunn, Kathy Hopper, Barbara Martin, Sharon Fiene; and nephews Don Fiene and Jack (Judy) Fiene—along with countless friends.

Celebration of Life Friday, July 18, 2025 • 11:00 AM Good Shepherd United Methodist Church 9555 N Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64155 The family will greet guests beginning at 10:00 AM