Gilmer Freudenberg

Gilmer William Freudenberg was born December 19, 1926 in Leaf Valley Township, the son of William and Martha (Krueger) Freudenberg. He was baptized on January 11, 1927 into the Lutheran faith at St. James Church in south Effington Township. Later Gilmer was confirmed at St. James on June 9, 1940. Gilmer grew up on the family farm and attended school at District 28 in Douglas County.

Gilmer’s father died when Gilmer was thirteen. He and his mother rented out the family farm and moved to Parkers Prairie, MN. Later Gilmer attended the Hanson Autol Trade School in Fargo where he was trained as an auto mechanic. He worked for four years in Parkers Prairie for the Chevrolet garage. When the renters moved off the family farm Gilmer began his career as a farmer in 1953.

Gilmer met Erna Schmidt who was working at a local café. On June 6, 1953 they were united in marriage. The couple made their home on the Freudenberg farm, where they farmed for over forty years. He sold the cows in 1992 and retired from grain farming a few years later. He continued to live on the farmstead following Erna’s death in 2011.

Gilmer enjoyed working as a mechanic. He worked on his own farm equipment and kept his 1956 WD Allis Chalmers tractor in good condition. He also had a 1965 Ford Mustang.  Gilmer had been a member of the Minnesota Valley Breeder’s Board and the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. His church life was very important to him. Gilmer was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church. He participated in the Lutheran Layman’s League and the Men’s Club. He enjoyed participating in many church activities including the Dart Ball League.

On Friday, February 28, 2020, Gilmer died at the age of 93.  He was preceded in death by his wife Erna and two sisters, Selma Kloehn and Violet Diedrich, along with several nieces and nephews. Several loving nieces and nephews survive Gilmer along with sister-in-law, Ardine; and brother-in-laws: Delmer & Marvin..

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in South Effington Township. Interment followed in St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church.