Myron Lange Freeman, 91, Dickinson, died Friday, November 5, 2021 at St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson. There will be a celebration of life service at 10 a.m., Thursday, November 11, 2021 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Dickinson with Rev. Michael Wolters officiating. A military flag presentation will be provided by the Dickinson American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard.
Myron was born in Fergus Falls, MN on November 2, 1930 to Reuben and Helen (Lange) Freeman. He grew up on a farm near Deer Creek, MN and graduated from Deer Creek High School in 1948. Myron attended Moorhead State University for a couple years before joining the Air Force. He served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955 and was stationed in Europe. Myron returned to Moorhead State University and received his Bachelors degree in Biology in 1957. His first teaching job was at the High School in Parkers Prairie, MN. He married the love of his life, Lola Kloehn, on December 22, 1957. After a couple years of High School teaching he decided to get his Masters degree in Biology at the University of North Dakota. In 1962, Myron was hired as an associate professor in the Biology department at Dickinson State College. Myron loved teaching and working with the DSC staff, but he really loved challenging his students to learn. Biology is all about plants and animals and he was an “old-school” teacher, doing labs and field trips to reinforce the classroom teachings. He was promoted over the years to Head of the Math and Science Department. Myron received many awards over the years, including teacher of the year for many years. He retired from DSU in 1992 after 30 wonderful and extraordinary years.
Myron was also very active in his church for the 40 plus years they lived in Dickinson. He (and his recruited sons) helped build the new addition to Redeemer Lutheran Church, brick by brick, and there are thousands of them. Myron loved all animals but horses were his favorite… He had horses most his life, and loved the “chores” of feeding them, combing them, and talking to them. The ND prairies and especially the Badlands were very special places for Myron to get away, no matter if it was with his students or his family or his friends.
In retirement, Myron and Lola moved to Menagha, MN for many years, then back to Dickinson for a few years, then to Devils Lake for a couple more, and finally back to Dickinson and Hawks Point. Myron was a people-person and loved to visit with everyone he met. He was the “rock” in our family and will be greatly missed… But we know he is with his maker smiling down on us all.
Myron is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Lola (Kloehn); his daughter Lynne Anton from Willard, NC, and children Braden (Kirsten) from Horn Lake, MS, Chandra (Marvin) Watson from Willard, NC; his son Robert (Laurie), and children Michael, Tucker, and Austin, all from Eugene, OR; his son Paul (Mary Ann), and children Brandi, Kallen (Deidra) and their daughter Myla, and Michaela, all from Devils Lake, ND; his daughter Mary Freeman (spouse Arley Sorenson) and children Clark and his son Branson, Brett and his son Brooks, Tate, and Tracee, all from Dickinson, ND. This amounts to 12 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Myron is also survived by his brother Mervin (Phyllis) Freeman; sister Karen (Charlie) Braaten; and brother-in-law Jim Meichsner.
Myron was preceded in death by his parents Reuben and Helen Lange Freeman; brother-in-law Delbert Kloehn; sister-in-law Eunice (Elmer) Hogy; his sister Arliss (Adolph) Hauge; and sister-in-law Muriel Meichsner.
