Mary Louise Freeman

Mary Louise Freeman went home to the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. She is joining her adoring husband, Willard, who preceded her in death five years ago. Mary was born on Jan. 3, 1925, to William and Edna Thomas in Yreka. She was raised on the Thomas farm and she attended the Greenhorn one room school house where she walked to school every day with her sisters, Willa and Laura and her younger brother, Bill. She graduated from high school in Chico in 1942, where she was residing with family. When she graduated, she worked on the Air Force Base in Stockton as an administrative assistant. When she returned to Yreka, she met her love Willard Freeman. They were married on Dec. 1, 1946. They were blessed with four children, Monte Cristo, Thomas Barry, Emmit Keith and Ellen Louise. She was the wife of a working rancher and all that comes with that. She would feed the chickens, tend to the garden and nurture young animals as need be. Mary was an avid photographer who loved to capture her family and friends enjoying a good picnic or camping trip. She enjoyed fishing and going to their cabin with her family. She won many ribbons for her entries in the Siskiyou Golden Fair for canning, baking, photography and her amazing fruits and vegetables. Mary enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She would look forward to her family gatherings down by the river and Wednesday night bible study. Mary taught Sunday school and was a 4-H leader for many years. She was also a member of the Siskiyou County Historical Society. Mary lived on the Freeman family ranch for 70 years. Mary and Willard were very active members in the Greenhorn Grange. This is where the spark that lasted for 65 loving years was started. The family they had together was her pride and joy. She loved the grandkids and being a grandmother and a GG. She would hide Easter eggs, make cookie bars and she never turned down a good game of cards. You could hear Mary singing her favorite hymn or the Yreka Miners Fight Song frequently. She enjoyed watching her birds out her living room window. Mary never new a stranger and welcomed many faces to the Freeman family ranch over the years. Mary was preceded in death by her parents William and Edna Thomas; her siblings, Laura and Bill; her husband Willard, and her eldest son, Monte. Mary is survived by her children, Thomas, Keith and Ellen; her grandchildren, Trent, Trudi, Willard and Patrick; and her great grandson, AJ, as well as her “button on” grandchildren and great grandchildren, Amber, Audrey, Alec and Dillon; and her older sister, Willa. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews and her loving church family. Mary’s family asks that memorial contributions be made on her behalf to the Grenada Community Berean Church or Madrone Hospice in Yreka. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, at the Grenada Community Berean Church.

Mary Louise Freeman

January 3, 1925 - October 2, 2016