Ernest Freese

Ernest Harry Franklin Freese, age 84, of Willmar, formerly of Sunburg, died Saturday morning, June 17, at Valley Brook Assisted Living in Willmar.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at the Sunburg Free Lutheran Church with Rev. Ronald Knutson officiating. Interment will be in the West Norway Lake Lutheran Cemetery near Sunburg. Military Honors will be provided by the Belgrade VFW Post. Arrangements are with the Sunburg Funeral Home.

Ernest Harry Franklin Freese was born December 19, 1921, in Norway Lake Township, the son of Geolina (Pladson) and Lyder Henry Freese. He grew up and attended school in the rural Sunburg community. He was baptized and confirmed at the Sunburg Free Lutheran Church. On August 13, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He received his honorable discharge on December 18, 1945. On April 30, 1946, he married DuVaine Jorgenson in Sunburg. He worked as a meat cutter for E.B. Olson in Swift Falls. In 1951, they moved to St. Paul, where he worked as a carpenter for Waldolf Paper until his retirement in 1983. He moved to Willmar in 1997 and resided at Woven Hearts. In 2001, he moved into Valley Brook Assisted Living. He was a member of the Paper Workers Union and the Belgrade VFW Post.

He is survived by two brothers-in-law, Palmer Gafkjen of Rochester and Harlan (and Irene) Jorgenson of New Lodon; two sisters-in-law, Myrtle Freese of Belgrade and Wanda Freese of Spokane, Washington; several nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, DuVaine in 1988; three brothers, John Freese, Garfield Freese and Elmer Freese and six sisters, Alice Baker, Pearl Njos, Clarice Dean, Mabel Gafkjen, Luella Gafkjen and Elvine Eckander.