Marjorie Avis Freas, 98, of Gothenburg, died Friday, September 28th, 2012, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg.

She was born August 12th, 1914, in Dannebrog, Nebraska, to William "Willie" and Agnes (Petersen) Lauritsen. On February 17th, 1946, she married Carleton E. "Mug" Freas in Nysted. He died January 5th, 1986. She graduated from Dannebrog High School and the University of Nebraska where she received a teaching degree with high distinction. She was very intelligent and became an excellent teacher. Marge joined the faculty of the Beaver City school system where she met Carleton E. "Mug" Freas. Although she was nine years younger than Mug, they both agreed it was "love at first sight."
When Mug enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941, Marge journeyed to Baltimore and worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Later, in 1944, she ventured to Salt Lake City where she obtained her master's degree in medical technology and became an outstanding medical lab tech at Brigham Young Hospital.

Mug was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945 and Marge and Mug were married at the Lutheran Church in Nysted. They first lived in Beaver City, where Marge taught school and Mug worked with his father, Carleton Freas Sr., in his general merchandise store. When the store was demolished by fire, Mug and Marge moved to Alma in 1947 and Mug opened a retail clothing store with Warren Metzger. The store later became Freas Clothing.

They adopted William Earl Freas, their only child, at birth from Bishop Clarkson Hospital in Omaha in 1953. Mug continued working in his store until his retirement in 1976. Marge worked as a lab technician at Harlan County Hospital, also did substitute teaching and was a wonderful housewife and mother.

Marge continued to enjoy her life in Alma, playing bridge and golf with her many friends. In 2003, her health began to fail, compelling her to move to Methodist Assisted Living Home in Holdrege and in 2006 she moved to Meadowlark Pointe in Cozad. When her memory began to fade in 2007, her family found a lovely home for her at Stone Hearth in Gothenburg. Earlier this year, when she could no longer care for herself, her family was very fortunate to find wonderful care for her at Hilltop Estates, also in Gothenburg, where she passed away.

Their son, Bill, was a source of great pride, and Marge and Mug enjoyed following his athletic activities, education and career at State Farm. Mug passed away just before his twin grandsons, Peter and Andrew, were born. Marge was very proud of them as well. Lastly, she and Mug enjoyed the company of their poodle, Cocoa, and Marge had the companionship of her second poodle, Cokie, after Mug passed.

Marge was very proud to be a member of the PEO Sisterhood and of her 75-year membership pin. She also was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church in Alma and enjoyed Alma High School athletic events.

Her family will have fond memories of Marge who was a beautiful, tall Dane, always serving others in her 98 years of Christian life.

Survivors include her son, Bill Freas and his wife, Nancy, of Longmont, Colorado; grandchildren, Peter and Andrew; nephew, Claude Berreckman and his wife, Jane, of Cozad; niece, Rosalie Smith and her husband, Dick, of Genoa; numerous grandnephews and grandnieces; other relatives; and many friends.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her father on July 9th, 1960 and her mother on March 20th, 1979.

Services were at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 4th, at the Alma United Methodist Church with the Rev. James Bendorf officiating.

Burial was at the Alma Cemetery.

Memorials will be designated later.