Duane "Bud" Freese

Hills, MN      Duane H. “Bud” Freese, age 86 of Hills, MN died Thursday, August 16, 2018 at the Tuff Memorial Home of Hills, MN.t      Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, August 21st at Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills, MN.      Burial will follow at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, MN, with military honors by of Hills American Legion Post #399.      Visitation will be Monday, August 20th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with the family present at Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills.      Duane Howard “Bud” Freese was born November 21, 1931 at Westington Springs, South Dakota, the son of George and Fern (Schwab) Freese.  At an early age he and his family moved near Rock Valley, IA and he attended Alvord Community School.  At the age of 9 his mother Fern was married to Theodore “Penn” Rogers and they moved to a farm near Doon, IA. Bud continued his education at Alvord High School and graduated in 1949.       After his education Bud began his military career serving in the U.S. Army in 1951.  He served as a Paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division, serving 2 tours in Vietnam.  He later was a training instructor for helicopters.  Bud was united in marriage to Barbara Louise Welton on May 1, 1954 at Wilson, NC. The couple lived various place while Bud served in the U.S. Army, such as Fort Bragg for seven years, Germany for three years, Fort Rucker, Alabama and Fort Utes, Virginia. After he received his discharge they farmed for a few years near Sanborn, IA, and then moved to Hills, MN in 1984.  There he managed a hog confinement for a few years, before driving a semi over the road.  He later worked for the City of Hills with snow removal.  He enjoyed playing cards, watching WWE, old movies and N.A.S.C.A.R. and spending time in the yard, feeding the squirrels and birds.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He often shared funny jokes and stories of his traveling days.      On October 31, 2012 Bud’s wife Barbara died unexpectedly, after 58 years of marriage.  He remained living at their residence until this past January, when he entered the Tuff Memorial Home of Hills.  He remained there until his death this past Thursday, August 16, 2018.      He is survived by his daughter, Debbie (Stanley) Andringa of Armstrong, IA; a son, Douglas Freese of Mesa, AZ; six grandchildren, Veronica (Jessi) Bauer of Spirit Lake, IA, Anthony Andringa (fiancee, Darcy Ackerman) of Dolliver, IA, Taylor Andringa (significant other, Ashley Brandt) of Fairmont, MN, Samantha Freese, Duane Freese and Kyle Freese, all of Mesa, AZ; ten great-grandchildren, Ethan Weber, Rebekah Bauer, Joslyn Weber, Ashlynne Andringa, Josephine Andringa, Ryan Owens, Zyler Andringa, Brent Kiley, Scarlet Lien and Azlynn Boren; and many other extended family.      He was preceded in death by his parents, Penn and Fern Rogers; his wife, Barbara Louise Freese; a brother, Ted Freese; a sister-in-law, Shirly Freese; and brother-in-law, Charles Welton.