Peggy Freemyer - Gretna, Neb.

Peggy Freemyer, 83, of Gretna, Nebraska, formerly of Creston, died Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, at her home in Gretna.

Services were 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 25, at Pearson Funeral Home, 809 W. Montgomery St., in Creston. Burial will be at a later date at Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Father Ken Halbur officiated. Family received friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Gibson Memorial Library in Creston.

Peggy was born Jan. 9, 1933, in Canova, South Dakota, to Forest Foster and Vera (Vroman) Foster. Peggy was raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, until the family’s move to Creston in 1945. She graduated from Creston High School in 1951. Peggy delighted in reminiscing with her classmates and the fun they had, and when she was a part of the 50-year class reunion committee. She exchanged weekly emails with many of these childhood friends. Her dear friend Kathryn (Brotherton) Kennedy and Peggy exchanged emails almost daily.

On July 25, 1952, Peggy was united in marriage to Gene J. Freemyer at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Gene left for the Korean Conflict two weeks later, and Peggy resumed her job as a telephone operator in Creston. In 1954, Peggy transferred to the phone company in Iowa City as Gene began work on his bachelor’s degree.

The couple moved to Ames in 1955 to Pammel Court on the campus of Iowa State University. While Gene continued his work towards his degree, Peggy stayed home to raise their children. Kristi Kaye born in 1956, Rebecca Ann born in 1957 and Tamera Lynn born in 1959.

Peggy lived in southwest Iowa settling in Prescott on an acreage to raise their girls. In this community, Peggy volunteered in a variety of organizations as most small town people do. Helping with activities at church and school became her full time vocation. She loved her acreage and her flowers! Peggy gardened and canned, but truly enjoyed her flowers the most. A self-taught seamstress, Peggy spent many a day working on prom dresses and pant suits for the girls. Much to Gene's dismay, "hot pants" became the rage in the early 70s as Peggy could make them from fabric remnants. Gene would give the girls "grief" as they left the house in this attire.
Peggy sent their youngest Tammy off to Iowa State University in 1978. She and Gene moved to Creston shortly thereafter as Gene became an engineer for the BNSF Railroad. Encouraging the girls to "finish your education" became her new vocation! As each daughter graduated from Iowa State University, Peggy felt a sense of accomplishment. "A good education is a lifelong investment."

Peggy enjoyed a number of hobbies over the years. She dabbled in painting and floral arrangement. She spent time researching family genealogy. She and Gene enjoyed owning race horses over the years. Many a “heated debate” came as they planned race entries, and the buying and selling of the horses. Peggy’s favorite pastime was reading and visiting with friends and family. You could always have a cup of coffee at her table or get the title of a good book to read.

Peggy considered the blessing of a long life came in the form of grandchildren. Her granddaughters, Heidi and Claire Perry, and grandson, Jacob Haynes, were a source of laughter and joy. As the years passed and she became a “Great-Grandma,” the delight of her heart was in these little children. Peggy lived for pictures, colorings and visits from the “precious faces” of Rebecca and Matthew Clark, Maddox Haynes and Hannah and Benjamin Cunningham. These children delighted in “Grandma Peggy’s cookies.”

"Her children will rise up and call her blessed…" Prov.31:28 This describes the life of Peggy Freemyer.

She fiercely loved her family, God and her country. She defended all of these in many a debate as she was well read, well informed and never a fence sitter.

Peggy’s survivors include her children, Kristi (Steve) Perry of Gretna, Nebraska, and Tammy (Mark) Haynes of Rogers, Arkansas; sisters-in-law, Connie (Rex) Spainhower of Creston and Sue Freemyer of Lebanon, Missouri; grandchildren, Heidi (Dave) Clark, Claire (Charles) Cunningham and Jacob Haynes; great-grandchildren Rebecca, Matthew, Maddox, Hannah and Benjamin as well as other nieces and nephews.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband Gene; daughter Rebecca; her parents; parents-in-law Gene and Monola Freemyer; brothers, Anthony and Jerald Hollestelle and sisters, Norene Hollestelle and Pat Kelley as well as other extended family.