Ruth Freeman

JANIE RUTH FREEMAN, age 79 of Waseca died on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Born on November 29, 1935 in Cheraw, South Carolina, she was the daughter of Jesse and Janie (Jacobs) Mills.  She graduated from Chesterfield High School and went on to receive her teaching degree from Winthrop College in North Carolina.  Ruth taught elementary education in Minneapolis, Devils Lake, ND, Fergus Falls and Benson, Minnesota and was a long-term sub in Bismarck, North Dakota.   She later received her certification in special education and taught the mentally impaired in Salt Lake City before moving to Waseca in 2010.  Ruth enjoyed reading, knitting and crocheting.  She also enjoyed genealogy and corresponding with family.   Ruth was a member of the Waseca County Historical Society.

She is survived by her husband, Robert of Waseca; one son, Shane (Kitty) Freeman of Salt Lake City, UT; one daughter, Tammy Freeman of Waseca; two granddaughters, Tara (Jason) Etrheim of Onalaska, WI and Mariah Conway of Waseca; and one great granddaughter, Sloan Etrheim.   Ruth is also survived by three sisters, Gayle Davis of Cheraw, SC, Julia (Jeff) Hendricks of Prosperity, SC, and Sue (Jamie) Hagan of Willow Spring, NC, and several nieces and nephews.    She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Jean Lewis and Linda Wentworth.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, February 20, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca with Rev. Chris Meirose officiating.  Burial will be held at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca at a later date.  Visitation will be held on Friday, one hour before services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Shriner or Masonic Children’s Hospital.

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