Ruth Emma Freeman

RUTH EMMA FREEMAN July 28, 1937 – November 2, 2017    Ruth E. Freeman, age 80, a long time Park Rapids, MN area resident, died unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, November 2, 2017.    Ruth was born on July 28, 1937 in Minneapolis to Arthur and Metha (Krebs) Schoenrock. As a girl she attended the District #47 Country School near Giese, MN through the eighth grade and then went on to attend high school in Finlayson, MN from where she graduated with the Class of 1954. As a young woman, Ruth ventured to St. Paul, MN where she lived and worked for many years. She was a natural businesswoman and owned and operated Eddy’s Off-Sale Liquor Store in Shoreview, MN for a few years. On September 11, 1970, Ruth was united in marriage to Tony Freeman. The two made their home in Shoreview until 1973, when they along with Ruth’s two children: Steven and Roxzene moved to Park Rapids, MN. For many years, she and Tony spent spring through fall at their country home near Park Rapids and spent their winters in Desert Hot Springs, CA. In Desert Hot Springs, Ruth was very active with the Elks Club and held many offices and received numerous awards and honors. Over the years she was also active as an American Legion Auxiliary member, a VFW Auxiliary member, a St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary member and she enjoyed belonging to the Red Hatters Club. After investing 34 years of her life working as the head chef at the Douglas Lodge in Itasca State Park, Ruth retired in 2016 at the age of 79 and was only able to enjoy 1 year and 3 months of her retirement. Ruth loved being outside working in her beautiful flower gardens. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and her trips to the casinos. She dearly loved her four “adopted” grandchildren who knew her as “Grandma Root”. She also loved her puppy, “Dukie” who would dance with her whenever Mollie B came on. Her infectious laughter will be remembered by all who knew and loved her.    Her memory will forever be in the hearts of her sister, Delores (Mel) Hoseth of Perham; her favorite nephew, Scott (Amy) Hoseth and Amy’s daughter, Samara Dodds all of Walker, MN; brother and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and many cousins.    She was preceded in death by her husband, Tony Freeman on December 27, 1992; her son, Steven on April 1, 2015 and daughter, Roxzene Olson who died on March 28, 2014. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law; her sister, Bernice Schoenrock; other relatives and her beloved, Dukie.