Harold E. Freese

Harold E. Freese, 87, formerly of Kearney died Monday, February 16, 2015, at Silver Ridge Village Care Facility in Gretna, NE. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, February 20, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney. Father Joe Hannappel will officiate and burial will be at Kearney Cemetery. Military rites at the grave will be provided by the Kearney American Legion Post #52, Kearney V.F.W. Post #759 and the United States Navy Military Honors team. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, at the church, followed by a Vigil Wake Service at the church. Memorials are suggested to the National Parkinson Foundation or the Alzheimer Institute of America. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements. Harold was born March 23, 1927 in Lincoln, NE to Virgil and Ella (Hennessey) Freese. He grew up in Lincoln and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1944. He then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and played on the Cornhusker football team. On June 10, 1950 he married N. Jean Sweeney in Lincoln, NE. The couple lived in Lincoln and he began his business career with the Nebraska Lumberman’s Association. Harold joined the Kearney Clinic, as their Administrator, upon moving the family to Kearney in 1957. In that capacity he was instrumental in growing the medical community of Kearney, until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney, St. James Council Knights of Columbus #1728, American Legion Post #52 and the Kearney Elks Lodge where he served as Exalted Ruler 1970-1971. He was on the Kearney City Planning Commission for several years, served on the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Board from 1967-1970 and is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Group Administrators. Harold was inducted into the Lincoln High School Athletic Hall of Fame with his Lincoln High School Football team of 1943/1944 in 2004. Harold enjoyed spending time with his family, particularly enjoying their cabin at Johnson Lake, his faith, Husker football, and other outdoor activities that included all types of fishing and upland game hunting. He is survived by sons, Rick Freese of Ashland and grandchildren Jack and Vanessa; son, Dan Freese and his wife, Jan of Kearney and grandchildren Dru, Ali and Max; son Scott E. Freese of Omaha, son, Jon Freese and his wife, Chelli, of Edmond, Ok, and grandchildren Haley and Hunter; and daughter, Kim Farrell and her husband Curt, of Dakota Dunes, SD, and grandchildren Katie, Cameron, Lance, Brad and wife Margo and great-grandchildren Arianna, Lucas and Colette, John and wife Amanda and great-grandchildren, Preston, Isla and Natalie. He is preceded in death by his wife, February 16, 2011, and one grandson, Jarrett Freese.

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Harold E. Freese

March 23, 1927 - February 16, 2015