ESTRID FREELAND obituary

JOPLIN - Estrid Helen Freeland, 83, died Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at a Shelby rest home.

She was cremated per her request. A memorial service will be held at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 29. Burial of

ashes will follow at the Joplin Cemetery.

Estrid was born on Nov. 15, 1920 at Whitefish to Swedish immigrants Arvid and Erica (Lund) Sundgren. Estrid was raised on the family farm north of Joplin and graduated from Joplin High School in 1939.

She married Charles M. Freeland in 1940. They made their home in Joplin and began raising their family. In 1951, they moved to Chester, where Estrid worked part time at the post office. In addition, she cooked the weekly meals for the Chester Rotary Club, cooked for her brother Art's harvest crew, and sold Avon products. During her last year in Chester, she operated the Grand Cafe. The Freelands were divorced in 1960.

Estrid moved to Billings in 1964 to be near her youngest daughter. During more than 20 years in Billings, she continued to sell Avon, worked for an insurance company, and was employed as a clerk for a department and shoe store. In 1987, she retired and moved to Great Falls. She lived there until January of 2004, when progressive respiratory problems forced her transfer to the Marias Care Center in Shelby.

During her early years in Joplin she was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church. She served as a Sunday school teacher, worked as church treasurer for several years, and was a loyal member of the ladies' aid group.

Estrid enjoyed her 30 years as an Avon representative and made many friends during that time. She loved to travel in her earlier years. After retiring to Great Falls, she enjoyed attending the horse racing events at the State Fair grounds. She loved to work in her flower gardens and had a green thumb. Other hobbies included sewing and crafts, cooking and baking, and collecting decorative bottles.

Survivors include her son, Denis (Annette) Freeland of Galata; daughters, Sylvia (Don) Anderson of Hillsboro, Calif., and Roberta (Mal) Soare of Billings; sister, Carol Ness of Seattle, Wash.; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Estrid was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Gladys Carlson and Margaret Thielman; and brothers Art and Swen Sundgren.

Arrangements by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.