Arnold Jacob Freese, lovingly known to his family and friends as Arnie, was born at Dexter, Minn. on Oct. 22, 1919. He was the son of Jakob and Trientje (Bikker) Freese.

As a young teenager, Arnie worked on the neighboring farms of the community he grew up in. Later, during World War II, he was employed at Wilsonís meat packing plant in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

When the war effort ended, Arnie lost his job at Wilsonís. His brother, Jake, who worked at Glendenning Motorways in St. Paul, suggested he apply for a job there. He was hired immediately, and with the exception of a few months off when he worked for a friend at the Snowflake Laundry, he retired from Glendenning following 33 years of service.

While working at the laundry he met his future wife, Rosemary Anderson.

Following his retirement in 1981, Arnie began working at Central Sod Farms. He loved being outdoors and worked there another 20 years before he actually retired.

Arnie died Nov. 3, 2006 at the Hillcrest Health Care Center in Rush City, Minn. at the age of 87 years.

He is survived by Rosemary, his loving wife of 58 years; his children: Larry and Tracy Freese of Harris, Minn., Judy and Kurt Charpentier of Pine City, Minn., Penny and Paul Thunstrom of North Branch, Minn.; grandchildren: T. J., Jerad (Kelly), Jamie, Jake, Christina, and Jesse; granddaughters Alexandra Belle and Lila Mae; brother and sisters-in-law: Johannes (Edna) Freese of Austin, Minn., and Joanne Freese of Osage, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jakob and Trientje (Bikker) Freese, an infant son, sisters Mick Stark, Teresa Nelson, and Rlaetta Freese, brothers Herman, John, Jacob, George, Diedrich, and Frank.

Deacon Gene Biever presided at the memorial service at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, at the Swanson Chapel. Arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service, Swanson Chapel, Pine City, Minn.

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