Freeman Severene Knudtson, son of K.S. (Knudt) and Mary (Jones) Knudtson, and step mother Rose Knudtson, was born November 8, 1919, on a farm near Milford, IA. He attended school up to the eighth grade. When his mother passed away he quit school so he could help his dad and other farmers.
Freeman married Edna Mae Goedicke on February 26, 1941, at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Following their marriage, they lived on a farm east of Milford. He joined the Army on August 22, 1942, completed basic training at Camp Haan, and served in a search light outfit along the California coast and desert. Freeman was among 20,000 Allied soldiers who traveled the North Atlantic Ocean aboard the Queen Mary troopship to Scotland. He then served within a communications company in France, Germany, Holland and Austria, before being discharged on February 26 1946. "It was a great experience," Freeman said of WWll, "but I wouldn't want to go through it again."
Upon his return to Spencer, Freeman worked briefly at the former Wilson's Elevator before serving as a mechanic for 36 years at Asher Motor Company.
In July 2008, Freeman moved to the Hillside Terrace Assisted Living Residence. He visited his wife, Edna Mae, at St. Luke Lutheran Home, every afternoon for four and a half years. In 2016 he moved in with his sister, Marie Welle, and live there until his passing.
Freeman was known for being an avid walker. He walked to and from work each day. When he retired in 1981, Freeman continued walking the streets of Spencer. He was a great conversationalist, enjoyed reading magazines, listening to country music, sitting outside in the sun and spending time with family. He also enjoyed sitting in his chair watching the birds, deer, wild turkeys and the cars going by.
Freeman passed away at the Spencer Municipal Hospital on January 28, 2022 at 102 years of age.
He is survived by one sister Marie Welle, one sister-in-law Geneva (Ken) Knudtson, 12 nieces and nephews and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, two brothers, one niece and two nephews.
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