Alfreda Cunningham

Alfreda Cunningham (aka Alfreda Cain) died peacefully on February 1, 2013 in Bozeman. She was born May 27, 1915 in Westwood California, to Alfred and Hilda Anderson. She grew up in Susanville California, graduated from Lassen Union High school in 1933 and later earned a BA degree in Music from the College of the Pacific. She taught piano lessons, and for many years played the piano and organ in the United Methodist Church and other area churches. She married Ben Cunningham in 1938 and together they ran a general contracting business for over 35 years. In 1972 they retired, moved to Joplin, Missouri, and bought a small farm in the foothills. Following Ben’s passing in 1974 she resided in Sparks, Nevada near her son and his family. In 1977 she married Darrel Cain, a retired United Methodist lay minister. They shared church activities, traveling and family together until Darrel’s passing in 1993. From 1994 to 2002 she lived in Chico, California with her sister Lorine Johnson. In 2002 she moved to Bozeman Montana and, after 4 years of condo living, she entered the High Country Care assisted living facility. Alfreda was life-long member and music contributor to the United Methodist Church--playing for hundreds of church services, weddings, and memorial services during her lifetime. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved spending time with her kids, grandkids, great grandkids and extended family. After retirement she travelled abroad extensively with her sisters and spouses. They toured Europe, South America, Australia, and visited relatives in Sweden. Alfreda is survived by: her son Al (Brooke “Sam”) Cunningham; grandson Chris (Leslie) Cunningham; granddaughter Jennifer (Shane) Tanner; great-grandchildren Caleb, Arianna and Alexander; all of Bozeman; step-children Susan Edmondson, Marjorie Sheld, Betsey Dandeman and Dick Cain; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Alfreda was preceded in death by husband Ben Cunningham, sisters Lorine Johnson, and Lucile King, and husband Darrel Cain. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made in Alfreda’s name to The Bozeman United Methodist Church, 121 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT 59715 or to a charity of choice. A memorial service will be held Friday, March 1 at 10 am at the Bozeman United Methodist Church.