Glenn Freemanof Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Saturday, March 20, 2021
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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