Mary Rose Freeman

Mary Rose was born on the Fred and Martha Bruegger Ranch, east of Lusk.

She went to school on the ranch for 3 grades, then to Node School through the 7th grade. Then she finished grade school at Lusk. She graduated from Lusk High School in 1953. She won many awards in high school. She was an excellent marksman and participated in the school shooting club.

After high school she attended the University of Wyoming and San Diego State University. She got her degree in home economics from the University of Wyoming in 1958. She became a home demonstration agent in Gillette and Wheatland, Wyoming.

In November 1969, she married Kenneth Freeman at her brother John's home at Van Tassel. They lived at Hat Creek Ranch north of Lusk.

Mary Rose knew and loved her community and could tell you about almost everyone in Niobrara County. She enjoyed traveling and visiting relatives in Canada, Florida, Oregon, and Washington. She loved cooking, playing cards, and judging fairs in the cooking and food exhibits.

Mary Rose was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. She was a very active community member being involved in Fancy Farmers Garden Club, Node Homemakers, BPO Does Drove #64, participant in the Legend of the Rawhide for many years, 4-H supporter, and there were many more.

After Kenneth died in 1990, she spent many years running the ranch by herself. She spent her last years with Dewey Ellsworth, her devoted companion and caregiver, his daughters Linda Schoenewald, Susan Millard, Connie Wennblom, and her personal caregiver and friend Kathy Johnson.

She is survived by her sisters Ann Coots of Olympia, WA; Winnifred Schipporeit of Canby, OR; and brother Ed Bruegger of Lost Springs, WY; three sister-in-laws, Norma Bruegger, Jan Bruegger, and Rona Bruegger; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death her husband, Kenneth Freeman; brothers John Bruegger and Fred Bruegger; and sisters Margarite Fernau and Madeline Grote.

Funeral services were held Wed., April 1, 2015, with interment in the Lusk Cemetery.

Family and friends will all miss her.

Memorials may be made to the Niobrara County Homemakers Scholarship Fund, PO Box 210, Lusk, WY 82225-0210 or to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Pier Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

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