William Freed

William Clayton Freed, 93, Fargo, died Saturday, March 6, 2004 at MeritCare in Fargo, ND. Bill was formerly of Horace, ND. William ?Bill? Freed was born September 23, 1910 to Oscar and Matilda ?Tilly? (Johnson) in a sod house on a homestead in Biggar, Saskatchewan, Canada. He was raised and went to school in Pinewood, MN and later moved to Ulen, MN. As a boy, he learned the trade of blacksmithing from his father and was proud of this accomplishment. In 1936 he married Alice Steichen, also of Ulen, MN. They moved to Horace, ND in 1938 and resided there for the next 64 years. He moved to Bethany Towers in 2002. He was very active in his community giving much of himself and his time. Bill was a blacksmith and machinist known to farmers for miles around as the man who could ?fix anything?. He was proud to have served generations of farmers. He loved flying, hunting, fishing, and baseball. In later years he enjoyed vacationing with his large family to whom he often expressed his love. Bill and Alice raised a family of five children. Bill is survived by his children: Marjorie Ann Tessier (Donald) Horace, ND, Carol Jean Birdwell (Gale), Lewistown, MT, Wilma Lenae Birdwell (Larry), Lewistown, MT, Victoria Gail Haaland (James), Dickinson, ND, a daughter-in-law Janet Richard (Julien), West Fargo, ND, a brother, Leonard Freed, Fargo, ND and two sisters: Mae Forsythe, MN, Bernice Petterson, AZ; 16 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Steichen Freed, his son William Alfred Freed, grandson, Bruce Freed, parents, Oscar & Matilda Freed, and siblings: Mabel Coffey, Clarence Freed, Lillian Abraham, Luverne ?Frenchy? Freed and special companion, Clara Sands. Funeral: 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at Horace Lutheran Church, Horace, ND. Burial will follow at the Horace Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation: 4 pm-7 pm on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND and one hour prior to the service at Horace Lutheran Church. Prayer Service: 7 pm on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Arrangements by Fredrikson Funeral Chapel, Kindred.