Mary C. Freese

It is with deep love and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Mary Freese on August 22, 2026. After being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in March, she fought with unwavering courage and grace, but ultimately lost her battle. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side.

Mom was born on April 7, 1955 to Ralph and Margaret (Martin) Lemmer. She was 1 of 13 children. On March 31, 1973 she married Eugene Freese. He was the love of her life since the 8th grade. They had 10 children together, 31 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Our mom was a woman of deep faith, a loving heart, and a gentle spirit. Her relationship with the Lord was at the center of her life. She loved Jesus dearly and spent many hours in prayer, trusting Him and lifting her family and loved ones up to Him. Her faith was a source of strength, comfort, and love that she shared with everyone around her.

Mom found joy in the simple, beautiful things in life. She loved gardening, painting, crafting, baking her famous cookies that everyone loved and her jelly filled cinnamon rolls. She loved decorating for the holidays and entertaining at her home and making people feel welcome. Her home was a place where family and friends could gather, share stories, laugh and make memories.

Mom loved crocheting doilies for everyone at Christmas time and making afghans for all the new babies. She was the person you called for any alterations that needed to be done for weddings or prom dresses.

She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. Being a grandmother brought her tremendous joy, and she treasured every moment with them. She loved taking care of her family, giving thoughtful gifts, dressing up for special occasions, and creating traditions that her children and grandchildren will carry with them for years to come.

Mom also had a special love for animals. She adored her dogs and cats and loved feeding and watching the birds.

She enjoyed the little pleasures of everyday life, like enjoying her cup of coffee on the deck with dad in the mornings, playing cards and dice, listening to music, sitting by the fire telling stories, camping with her family and spending time with the people she loved. She had a way of turning ordinary moments into treasured memories.

She will be remembered not only for all the things she did, but for the ways she made people feel loved, welcomed, cared for and not alone.

Our mom leaves behind a beautiful legacy of faith, family, kindness, creativity, laughter and unconditional love. Though our hearts are broken by her absence, we are comforted knowing that she is with the Lord she loved so dearly.

She will be deeply missed and forever cherished by her husband, children, grandchildren, family, friends and all who were blessed to know her.

Survivor include her husband, Eugene, Athens, her children, Richard (Shelly), Abbotsford, Lisa (Loren), Birnamwood, Laurie (Rick), Stratford, Becky (Tina), Granton, Danielle (Josh), Athens, Chris, Wausau, Steph (Bill), Black River Falls, Jon (Ashley) Mosinee, Sam (Cody) Athens, 31 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and her siblings, Ralph (Adinun), Edgar, Charlie, Edgar, Chris (Sarah), Athens, Paul (Lisa), Edgar, Tony (Lou), Edgar, Virg (Jack), Mosinee and Kate (Art), Fenwood and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her daughter, Susanne, her brothers, Mark, Bob, Jerry and William and her sisters-in-law, Sharon and Vicky.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Friday, August 28, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Stratford. The Rev. Eric Mashak will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. Lunch will be provided at Country Aire in Stratford after the service. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com