Ernest "Ernie" E. Freier

Ernest Elmer Freier, age 89, of Lake Crystal, died Monday, October 31, 2016, at the Madelia Community Hospital.

Funeral Service 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 4, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church, Lake Crystal. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, at Lake Crystal Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at the church on Friday. Interment will be in Woodland Hills Memorial Park, Mankato. Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church or the donor’s choice.

Ernest was born December 9, 1926 to Emanuel and Emilie Katherina (Goehring) Freier in Delmont, SD. He graduated from Tripp High School, Tripp, SD and South Dakota State University, Brookings with a degree in education. He was united in marriage to Deloris “Dee” H. Weidenbach on September 22, 1950 in Scotland, SD. Ernie taught agriculture in the Lake Crystal Public Schools for 10 years, then the Mankato Vo-Tech helping to create the Ag department, and later founding Freier Enterprises until retiring. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he was a past Sunday school teacher and member of many church boards. He was also involved with Farmfest, Pork Producers, Lake Crystal Lions Club, Farm Bureau, and Lake Crystal School Board. He enjoyed farming and gardening.

Ernie is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dee; five children, Theresa Kopischke of North Mankato, Jerry Freier of Sherburn, Sharon Freier of Eden Prairie, Karen (Lee) Bouma of Madelia, and Mary Marcussen of Eden Prairie; nine grandchildren, Carrie, Amie, Neena, Lisa, Brad, Katie, Matthew, Luke, and Adam; fifteen great-grandchildren, David, Skyler, Alicia, Yanamarie, Bianca, Valencia, Mason, Gage, Ty, Emily, Addison, Max, Kole, Ashton, and Paxton; brother, Van (Chris) Freier of Fresno, CA; sister, Ruth Gyory of Grass Valley, CA; many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Christopher Hultgren; two brothers, Walter and Ray; two sisters, Alta and Irene.