Donald E. Freeman

Donald Freeman Dies Friday

Donald E. Freeman, 31, died in the Goshen County Memorial Hospital at Torrington Friday of a heart condition. His left leg had been amputated six days earlier.

He had lived his entire life in Niobrara County having been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Freeman January 29, 1935, at the home of his maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lund Sr. of the Node community. He attended school at Node through the tenth grade and was graduated from Lusk High School with the class of '52. He was an active 4-H member for ten years and won numerous awards including a trip to the National 4-H Club Congress at Chicago with the championship livestock judging team. He was also a junior leader. He was a member of the Lusk Odd Fellows Lodge.

Mr. Freeman developed diabetes when a child, but did not let his handicap stand in his way of leading an active life. He was engaged in ranching and drove a school bus and a mail route.

He and the former Thelma Jean Kraft were married October 20, 1957. They were the parents of one daughter, Donee Jean.

Survivors include his widow and daughter, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Freeman and one brother, Kenneth, all of Niobrara County; a sister, Mrs. Lee Schulyer, Salt Lake City.

Funeral services were held from the Peet Chapel Tuesday with the Rev. C. W. Jervis of the First Baptist Church officiating. In his service he read, "The Cowboy's Prayer". Mrs. Robert Bramlet, Mrs. Walter Fernau, Dr. Richard Collins, and Harry Lyon sang, "How great Thou Art" and "The Old Rugged Cross". Mrs. A. F. DeCastro was organist.

Casket bearers were Everett Kilmer, Jimmy Shane, Ronald Podolak, Ralph Sides, Peter Hansen, John Bruegger. Honorary bearers were Paul Morgan, Harry Brown, Paul Heany, Jim Rumney, Warren Walter, Bud Owens.

Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery.

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