Obituary of Maureen Freed

"And so she flies, she soars and He catches her and the two rejoice at her trust and His faithfulness". February 15th, 2011, Maureen Elaine Freed took her faithful jump into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Maureen was born May 14, 1947, in Cherokee, Iowa to Herbert and Irene (Wipf) Hillmer. Maureen lived her childhood in Sutherland, IA with her sisters Marjorie and Gerald Seeger of St. Paul, MN and Marilyn and Nolan Wright of Eagle Lake, MN. She graduated from Sutherland High School in 1965 and later attended Minneapolis Business College and received her degree in 1967. She greatly enjoyed her two years in Minneapolis, spending those years nurturing her free spirit, but she would soon follow her heart back to her high school sweetheart, Dean Freed. The two were united in marriage on July 29th, 1967. For the next forty-three years, Dean and Maureen would live all over the United States, spending time in Vermillion, SD, Las Cruces, NM, Norman, OK, Calumet, IA, and would eventually make their home Sanborn, IA. It was there where she and her husband owned and operated Horizon Beef Inc. It was also during those years they had four children, whom she was survived by; Jill and Milo Japenga of Cedar Rapids, IA, Julie and Kevin Wynja of Dell Rapids, SD, Jennifer Freed of Sheldon, IA, and Jason and Emilee Freed of Baxter, MN. When referring to her family she said "every one of you, whether I gave birth to you or not, carries a small piece of me because of the love we have between us". It is these words which would sum up Maureen's love for her whole family. Maureen's life was a treasure chest full of many passions. These passions included trips to the North Shore of Minnesota, reading, flower gardens, music, puzzles, and playing Scrabble. Her greatest joy was centered around helping other people achieve happiness, hope, and faith in Christ. These passions were represented by her work with Village Northwest, where she served as chairperson on the Village Board of Directors, and her role as a Stevens Minister. Her greatest treasures in life were her six grandchildren: Kennedy "The Musician", Madison "The Dancer", Carter "The Thinker", Macin "The Tender-Hearted", Claire "The Singer", and Hayden "The Free-Spirit". Maureen enjoyed attending her grandchildren's activities, sitting in the bleachers cheering at their events, and spending quality time reading and creating memories with them. She reminded us daily not to mourn in the disappointments, but celebrate the memories. Maureen left her footprints in the minds and hearts of her grandchildren with her Grandma Goodie Box, bottomless candy bowl, grandma scrapbook, and countless hidden treasures. Through them her legacy will live on. Maureen found great comfort in Psalm 57:1. Her last words that she wrote to her family she reminded us to "look for rainbows, blue birds, eagles and know that it is God's way to let you know that all is good and well"