Obituary: Glenn Freeman

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 11:00 AM (Mountain).

Belvidere Community Church
Belvidere, South Dakota

Interment

Bevidere Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota

Visitation

5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Rush Funeral Chapel
Kadoka, South Dakota

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In memory of

Glenn Freeman

of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the Kadoka Nursing Home at the age of 91

Glenn Terhune Freeman was born November 15, 1929 in Murdo, South Dakota. He was the only child of Jesse and Lillian Freeman who were homesteaders on Brave Bull Creek.

Glenn attended Stamford School and joined the Navy in his late teens, without graduating high school. He served on the U.S.S. Boxer CV21 aircraft carrier as a yeoman. Glenn was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1950. While stationed in California Glenn met Ruth. They were married and had two sons – Claude Jesse and James Glenn. The marriage was short, and Glenn married the neighbor girl from home, Ethel Irene Spinsby, in 1952. Glenn and Ethel had three children – Bryan Lee, Lynn Ann, and Valerie Layne. They farmed and ranched on the homestead property and held the mail route contract out of Stamford for 12 years.

In 1965 Glenn took advantage of the location of the property near I-90 and built one of the first 35 KOA Campgrounds there. The business is still in operation today, and over the years KOA saw employment for many neighborhood children. His marriage to Ethel Spinsby ended in 1969. Glenn then married Lucy Allard in 1970, and they were together 47 years until she passed away in June 2017. Her two children who joined the family were Debbie Allard Falzone and Rocky Lynn Allard.

Glenn was highly active politically and lobbied in the South Dakota Legislature. After winning a case in the South Dakota Supreme Court by acting as his own attorney he ran for and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives which he served in from 1979-1982. Glenn was also a lifetime member of the Belvidere VFW as well as a proud member of the Masons, Shriners, Oddfellows and Wingnuts clubs.

Glenn and Lucy sold the KOA in 1989 and later homestead in 1992 before moving to Denver, Colorado for a few years to manage Public Storage operations there. They retired in Ogallala, Nebraska, then moved back to Kadoka to be closer to family due to Lucy’s failing health. After Lucy’s passing Glenn married his childhood sweetheart, Joyce Glynn, and resided with her briefly in Rapid City until entering the nursing home.

Glenn was a loving father, grandfather, and husband. Glenn lived a very full life and loved nothing more than a good time with family and friends with lots of laughter!

Survivors include his wife Joyce Glynn Freeman and her children Beth, Pam, and Kent of Rapid City and Scott of Oregon; two sons Claude Freeman of Kadoka, and Bryan (Janet) Freeman of New Market, Minnesota; two daughters Lynn "Barb" (Merlin) Guthmiller of Rapid City, and Valerie (Rick) Rayevich of Missoula, Montana; a step-son Rocky Allard of Rapid City; a step-daughter Debbie (Floren) Falzone of Philip; a daughter-in-law Rosalind Freeman of Des Moines, Iowa; nine grandchildren: John Freeman, April Freeman, Justice Guthmiller, and Brandon (Crystal) Freeman of Rapid City, Jolene (Bill) Marshall of Custer, Becky Freeman, Lance (Erin) Falzone of Kempner, Texas, and Jesse Freeman and Mendy Freeman of Des Moines, Iowa; numerous great and great-great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law Bud Weller of Kadoka and Lester Clark of Aberdeen; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Glenn was preceded in death by his wife Lucy (Wilson) Allard Freeman; son James "Jimmy" Freeman; granddaughter Claudette Hoag; grandson James Freeman II; and his parents.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 736 Philip, SD 57567.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Thursday.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 25, at the Belvidere Community Church in Belvidere, with Pastor Jesse Taylor officiating.

Interment with military honors will be at the Belvidere Cemetery.

VISITATION
5-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Rush Funeral Chapel
Kadoka, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
Thursday, March 25, 2021 - 11:00 a.m.
Belvidere Community Church
Belvidere, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Jesse Taylor

MUSIC
JoAnne Stilwell - Pianist
Susan Davidson - Vocalist
Congregational Hymns
“How Great Thou Art”
“Amazing Grace”
Special Music
"Gold Mine in the Sky"

USHERS
Allen Badure - Larry Dolezal

PALLBEARERS
Woody Davis - Jim Addison - John Freeman
Justice Freeman - Tom DeVries - Chuck Willard

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Bud Perault, Tojo Osborn,
Darrel Iwan, and Syd Iwan

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Belvidere Community Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota

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So sorry for your loss Bryan. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless. ~ Tracey Loughney Wyoming MN (3/26/2021)
R.I.P. Glenn, You were such a welcome addition to the Wilson Family. A Belvidere icon who knew everyone, their families and their histories. I know how much you were loved by your "new" wife, Lucy and her kids, and really the whole extended family. You stories of Belvidere, Pierre, the past politics and those political fights to come were invigorating! You logged a long and good life, few enemies and many many friends. Be free from pain, see all the old crowd, enjoy eggs and bacon every morning, you earned it! Hug my Auntie for me !! Nephew Bobby. ~ Bob Wilson OKC, OK (3/26/2021)
We always enjoyed visiting with Glenn and Lucy at the Langston family reunions at Thurman every year. Lucy's health failed, but Glenn still came alone until his own health wasn't the best. Then his daughter would bring him and visit with us too. When his health was to the point that he couldn't make it any longer, we all signed a card each year to send to him so he could see who all still attended. The ranks have thinned quite a lot in the last 2 years and he has joined those ranks now. He was such a kind and gentle soul. God Bless him. ~ Judy Farwell Randolph, Iowa (3/25/2021)
Grandpa will be missed by all. ~ Lance Falzone and Family Kempner, TX (3/25/2021)
So sorry for your lose. What a great guy. I always enjoyed seeing him at the family reunions. He had such great stories. He has done a lot in his lifetime. Thank you for your service in WWII. You will be greatly missed. Prayers to you all. ~ Pat and Keith and Family Iowa (3/25/2021)
Glenn had a great interest in politics which was rooted in his love for our country and the constitution on which it stood. He understood that the strength of our country was deeply interwoven with faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I always enjoyed visiting with Glenn. He was usually well informed, and his mind was keen. It was my privilege to be his pastor and his friend.
~ Gary & Ruth McCubbin 667 Wall Rd, Wadsworth, Ohio 44281 (3/25/2021)
Remember the good times and always keep them in your heart. ~ Jim and Vonnie O’ Dea Howes, SD (3/25/2021)
Even tho your dad lived a long and giverous life, we still are sorry for your loss, Claude. ~ Ray and Joanie Kelly Tea SD (3/25/2021)
Glenn Freeman, A True Patriot. Rest In Peace our dear friend. The battles for freedom are over for you now. You fought the hard long fight, and you won more than you lost. You gained many stalwart friends along the way. Your service to your country is exemplary, and your friends and enemies all knew it, and respected you for it.

We got to know Glenn when he was a SD State Representative. We considered Glenn a mentor, and advocate OF THE PEOPLE! He is the true meaning of a Representative.
We lost contact for a number of years, until one day Glenn came to our local luncheon in Rapid City. What a surprise to see Glenn again after so many years.
Glenn and his wife Lucy attended for many years talking about Yes: Politics and Corruption in South Dakota. The Wing Nuts Luncheon was rarely missed by Glenn, even after Lucy passed.
Glenn always was a fountain of information about politics, and we all enjoyed Glenn's stories on how he Fought The Good Fight.
Glenn came to our Tuesday meeting with a beautiful lady whom he introduced as his childhood Sweetheart. Joyce and Glenn attended our meetings for many months until Glenn's health became too hard for him to attend. His daughters and grandson would bring Glenn on Tuesdays until he just could not make it there anymore. Joyce still attends, and kept us up to date on Glenn's condition.
We all owe Glenn and people like him who Stood, and Stand up for The People, and For Truth A Great Honor. Glenn Freeman,
His Last Name Says It ALL FREEMAN!
Bill and Peggy Napoli ~ Bill and Peggy Napoli Rapid City, SD (3/24/2021)
Thanks for serving ~ A Veteran (3/23/2021)
The world lost a great man who will be very much missed and always remembered. No one will ever be able to step into his shoes, he was one of a kind and we loved him so much. ~ Lynn Barb Guthmiller Rapid City SD (3/23/2021)
Jesse, so sorry for your loss. Peaceful passage and prayers. ~ Margo R Kadoka (3/22/2021)
Goodbye my friend, you will be greatly missed. Prayers be with your family. ~ Woody Davis Kadoka, SD (3/22/2021)
To the Family of Glen- So very sorry for your loss. We will remember Glen for all the work he put into his KOA Campground for tourists and surrounding communities to enjoy. May he Rest In Peace. Prayers to the family. ~ Larry and Julie McLaughlin Midland (3/20/2021)