G Freeman Thorleifson

Mankato Mortuary
507-388-2202

Gudmunder Freeman Thorleifson, age 88, of Mankato, died on Friday, January 14, 2011 at Oaklawn Health Care Center.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are preferred to Centenary United Methodist Church.

Freeman was born on June 8, 1922 in Bottineau, North Dakota to Thorleifur and Elisabet (Freeman) Thorleifson. He graduated from Bottineau High School in 1940 and from the North Dakota School of Forestry. Freeman served in the United States Army from 1942-1945 during World War II in the European Theater. On July 31, 1943 Freeman was united in marriage to Mary Claire Hopper in Salina, KS. After serving in the Army, Freeman worked for the family business, The Candy Kitchen. In 1960 he became a letter carrier for the Bottineau Post Office. During the Vietnam War era, Freeman was a chairman of the Bottineau County Draft Board, where he counseled many young men. He retired from the Post Office in 1983 and moved to Mankato in 1986. Freeman was a member of the Bottineau American Legion and Centenary United Methodist Church. He enjoyed singing in the choir, reading, woodcarving, and cooking.

Freeman is survived by his wife, Mary Claire Thorleifson of Mankato; three daughters, Julia Thorleifson (Dean Muesing) of Mankato, Janet (Steve) Streff of Golden Valley, and Sally (Jay) Wilkins of Andover; six grandchildren, Carol (Mark) Bement, Dan (Naomi) Aufman, John Muesing, Claire Thorleifson, Andrew and Olivia Wilkins; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Betsey; and two sisters, Yona and Harriette.