Memories

I still have a couple of wonderful neighbors to remember and write about, which I will continue in this article.

Across the street and up the hill from us were Francis B. and Alma Freese. Shifting Scenes Vol. III, page 80, has a very short article about them written by Nellie Guyer Dean.

For some years they boarded individuals who went to high school at CCHS. Some of you reading this might be among them.

Here is the history about this couple and their family.

Francis Barnett Freese was born on June 26, 1889 at Tea, South Dakota. His parents were August and Maggi Freese. “Frank” came to Montana in 1912 and he and his mother both filed on homesteads. His only brother-in-law, Van Craig, also filed in 1913 and 1914. Frank later took over both his mother’s and Van’s homesteads in 1927. Frank worked for different ranchers down on O’Fallon Creek near Ismay.

He married Alma Dean on November 22, 1927 at Plevna, Montana. She was previously married to George Dean. George and Alma had three children; one girl, Olive, and two boys, Leslie and Rankin. On August 15, 1930 Francis Junior was born. In 1943, Frank moved to Ekalaka to be with his wife and son who had moved to attend school in 1940.

Olive married Magnus Markuson. Rankin and his family were our southern neighbors. Les and his family were our northern neighbors at one time. Rankin married Helen Stitser and Les married Nellie Guyer.

Francis J. Freese Jr. (Fran to most of us) played baseball together with me in high school and also played independent ball. He was a pitcher. He also coached summer baseball programs. Some of you might have played for him. In high school we played football and basketball together under Coach E. E. Short.

Francis J. Freese and Patricia Dillon were married on April 19, 1954 at St. Joan of Arc Church in Ekalaka. To this union, three boys were born: Michael L., Bradley F., and Rodney A. Each of them graduated from CCHS and we get to see them during the Days of ‘85. After fifteen years of marriage Fran passed away on September 14, 1969 at the very young age of 39. I believe it was from a heart attack.

The combination of names Freese and Dean had me somewhat confused until I read the article explaining their family histories.

Times and activities rapidly change, but special neighbors and classmates bring back precious memories.