James A. Freedlund, age 79, Vesper, passed away at the House of the Dove on August 19, 2018, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Clark County to Norman and Donna (Davis) Freedlund on November 24, 1938. He attended the Audubon Grade School and graduated from Pittsville High School in 1957. He then joined the Army and served from 1957 to 1959. He was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, and Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. He was a teletype operator and played on the Fort Sam Houston Baseball Team.
On August 11, 1962, he married Carol J. Grimm at St. John’s United Church of Christ. They celebrated 56 years together. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in the town of Sherwood.
He was a past member of the Vesper Volunteer Fire Department, a Union Steward for C.P.I. and played baseball on various teams. He worked on various cranberry marshes, drove milk truck, was a school bus driver, worked at Roddis Mfg., and Preway, Inc., and finally at different positions at Consolidated Papers, Inc., for 35 years, at Biron Div. retiring as a shift supervisor.
He enjoyed traveling to 46 of the 50 states, and 3 countries; Canada, Mexico, and the Bahama Islands, celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in Hawaii. He took all of his grandchildren to Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills., S.D.
His favorite past time was woodworking, making grandfather clocks for his children and grandchildren and also some furniture.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, two children, Dawn (Darrell) Brey of Wisconsin Rapids, and Kenneth (Dawn) Freedlund of Arpin, six grandchildren, Corey (Heidi) Brey of Cedar Falls, IA, Shana Brey of Wisconsin Rapids, Logan (Brianna) Brey of Wisconsin Rapids, Piper Brey of Plover, Shelby Freedlund of Wauwatosa, and Sydney Freedlund of St. Paul, and 3 great-grandchildren, Bradley, Teddy, and Abbey (twins), of Cedar Falls, IA. He is also survived by two sisters, Harriet Castner and Wanda Freedlund, both of Marshfield, and one brother, Lowell of Pittsville.
He was predeceased by his parents, five brothers, Mahlon, Ronald, Dale, David, and Walter, a sister, Marlene Freedlund, and a grandson, Derek Brey.
Per his wishes there will be a private family funeral with burial in the Arpin Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be his six grandchildren.
The family would like to thank everyone (staff and volunteers and anyone who helped) at the House of the Dove, for his wonderful care.
Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com
