Ethel Katie Freese Death Notice
Ethel Katie Freese, age 93, of Gluek, passed away unexpectedly Sunday evening, September 8, at her residence.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 12, at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clara City. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Terrace Lawn Memorial Gardens in Montevideo. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11, at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to: Minnesota River Valley Cancer Connections, 4040 90th Ave. SW, Montevideo, MN 56265. Arrangements are with Tri-County Funeral Home in Prinsburg. www.tricountyfuneral.com
Ethel was born on October 14, 1930, on her family’s farm in Chippewa County, Minnesota, to Henry and Katie (Randt) Heinks. Growing up on the farm, she attended Havelock Township SD 32 country school. Ethel was baptized at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City and confirmed at Havelock Lutheran Church. On October 24, 1950, Ethel married John Freese at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City. They established their home in Maynard, MN, and were blessed with four children: Karen, Linda, Sandra, and Brad.
Ethel had a strong work ethic and worked side by side helping John farm and raise their family. She took great pleasure tending to her garden and preserving her harvest through canning. A talented seamstress, Ethel crafted beautiful pieces for family and friends. She cherished fishing trips with friends and grandchildren and loved sharing a polka dance with her husband, John.
Ethel had a strong faith in her Lord and Savior and was an active faithful member of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clara City. She actively participated in Relay for Life and engaged in numerous other volunteer activities through her church.
She is survived by her husband, John; four children, Karen (and Lyle) Hettver of Alberta, Linda (and Roger) Wilkens of Clara City, Sandra (and Tom) Gunter of Clara City and Bradley (and Carol) Freese of Maynard; ten grandchildren, Rhodney (and Cindy) Wilkens, Niccole (and Carl) Vogt, Michael (and Breana) Hettver, Matthew Miller, Heidi (and Nate) Graves, Shane (and Jaci) Miller, Alison Gunter, Breana (and Kurt) Luschen, Kayla (and Alex) Brainard and Jordan (and Lydia) Freese; twenty-two great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren. Also surviving are three sisters-in-law, Mildred Heinks, Wilma Heinks and Margaret Heinks, besides other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, (twin brother) Harm, John and Gordon Heinks; son -in-law, Terry Miller and grandson-in-law, Justin Ulferts.
