John Foster Freese

John Foster Freese, 69, of Rocky Comfort, Missouri, died Wednesday February 23^rd at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, surrounded by his family, after a short illness. 

He was born May 25, 1952 in Iowa City, Iowa to Baxter and Mary Foster Freese.  He grew up on a cattle, hog, turkey, and grain farm south of Wellman, Iowa and always had a love of farming.  He was a graduate of Mid-Prairie High School and attended Iowa Wesleyan College and Iowa State University.   The list of things he loved included Colorado and skiing, asparagus, mushroom, arrow head and pheasant hunting, photography, visiting his Swiss friends Walter and Franz, his trip to Italy to celebrate his parents’ anniversary, fishing the Boundary Waters of Canada, and his commercial salmon fishing experiences in Alaska.  He served on the local water and fire boards.  He owned and operated Freese Insurance Services in Longview, and every client was a cared for friend. He was an active member of Stella United Methodist Church for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Terry (Slockett), his stepdaughter Kathy (Bryan) Errico of Dover, Delaware, daughter Jesseca (Steve Edwards) of Powell, son James Freese of Dallas, Texas, and Dillon Ward of Tulsa, Oklahoma. His beloved grandchildren are Angela, Andie, and Nikoma.  Siblings are Kathy (John) Lindstrom of Fishtail, Montana , Jane Weber of Brevard North Carolina, Jim (Cris) Freese of Kalona, Iowa, and Anne Troyer of Iowa City, Iowa and many beloved nieces and nephews.

John chose to donate his body for research and did not want a funeral.  He wanted his friends and family to have a celebration at a later date.  Those who wish to donate in his memory may give to the Stella Fire Department and First Responders located in Longview.