Robert "Bob" Eugene Freeman

ROBERT “BOB” EUGENE FREEMAN, age 83 of Waseca, died at his home on Sunday, March 3, 2019.

Born in Waseca on January 17, 1936, Robert was the son of Eugene and Mary (Downie) Freeman.  Following his graduation from Waseca Central High School he enlisted in the US Army in 1954.  While he was enlisted he married Janie “Ruth” Mills of Cheraw, South Carolina.  He then returned to Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Fish and Wildlife Management.  Bob and his wife moved around the US during his working career with the United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service.  Upon his retirement he and Ruth returned to Waseca and later celebrated 52 years of marriage before her passing in 2015.  He enjoyed cooking, baking, reading food magazines, and watching cooking shows, WWII movies, westerns, and comedies.  Of course, he also loved spending time with friends and family at their many gatherings.  He was an active member of Tuscan Lodge #77, Owatonna Area Chapter of Shriners, American Legion Post #228, former member of the VFW, Salt Lake Scots Bag Pipe Band, and several environmental organizations.

Robert is survived by two children, Shane (Kitty) Freeman of Riverton, UT, and Tammy Freeman of Waseca; two granddaughters, Tara (Jason) Etrheim, and Mariah Conway; two great-granddaughters; and three siblings, Bonnie Zimmerman of Ellendale, Joseph (Paulette) Freeman of Las Vegas, NV, and Maggie (David) Alexander of Owatonna; and several cousins; nieces; nephews; and in-laws.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a sister and brother-in-law, Adelle (Max, Sr.) Hopkins.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the First Congregational Church in Waseca, with Rev. Derrick Skoglund officiating.  Visitation will be held for one hour before the service at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Mayo East Hospice Team or to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.  Interment will take place at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca at a later date. 

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