Laura Mitchell Freeman, 94, of Toronto, died Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, at the United Living Community in Brookings.
Funeral service are 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, at Leganger Lutheran Church in Toronto. Burial is at the Toronto City Cemetery. Visitation is 5 -7 p.m. at the Leganger Lutheran Church with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service. The Houseman Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
Laura L. Mitchell Freeman was born in the Hidewood Township near Clear Lake to Elmer and Flossie (Elliott) Parker on Feb. 22, 1923. Laura attended Norman School No. 39 through the eighth grade and then worked for several families including the Fishback’s in Brook- ings.
Laura and Joy Mitchell met as young children when she admired his brown jersey gloves! Their paths continued to cross through the years until their marriage on Nov. 24, 1944. They had five children. Joy died July 19, 1972. On Nov. 4, 1973, Laura married Max Freeman and moved to Aurora. Max died in August, 1992. Laura then moved back to Toronto and lived there until moving in August, 2015 to Park Place Assisted Living in Brookings.
She was a wife, mother and grandmother first. She raised a big garden and helped with the farm work. She was also a bookkeeper at the Ivanhoe Collection Point.
She was an active member of Leganger Lutheran Church and a hospice volunteer. She enjoyed tending her flower and vegetable gardens, reading, sewing, knitting, crocheting and quilting. Everyone in the family has been blessed with her handiwork.
Laura is survived by her children: William (Cheryl) Mitchell of Estelline, Vickie (Richard) Roelofsen of Toronto, Melva (Darle) Miller of West Fargo, North Dakota, Larry (Linda) Mitchell of Toronto, LaVaun (Rod) Johnson of Corning, Iowa; 10 grandchildren:; 21 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; brothers: Melvin (Joann) Parker, Gerald Parker, Keith (Lucille) Parker; sister, Eva Mae Hinricher; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husbands; brother, Lyle Parker; sister, Arlett Schepker Haugen; five sisters-in-law; six brothers-in-law; and a grandson-in-law.
