Robert “Bob†Freese, 90, of Charles City died Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City after a long and courageous battle with COPD.
A funeral Mass for Bob Freese will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 3, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City with Reverend Tom Heathershaw officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Charles City.
Visitation will be at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, 2023, with a scripture service at 6:00p.m., and will continue one hour before the service at the church on Monday.
Robert Edward Freese, the son of Edward and Margaret (Duncan) Freese, was born on March 18, 1933, in Waverly. He graduated from Colwell High School. Bob was drafted into the United State Army from 1953 to 1955, serving 18 months in Korea. Bob was united in marriage to Geraldine Girkin on June 19, 1957.
Bob worked 20 years at Hydrotile in Nashua and his passion was farming and raising cattle. He was a member of the Floyd County Cattlemen, VFW, and Knights of Columbus. He served on the Colwell Co-op Board, was a past president on the Chickasaw Mutual Board, and volunteered with the Floyd County Fair. Bob was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, often helping as an usher and eucharist minister.
Bob and Geraldine loved to travel together and spent over 20 winters in Arizona. Bob was a very social man and made many connections wherever he went. He enjoyed going to the casinos, playing cards with his card club, and playing Solitaire. Family was the most important part of his life, and he supported his children and grandchildren in all of their activities.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 66 years, Geraldine Freese; daughters, Marianne (John) Carolan and Lisa Cotter; grandsons: Jason (Kellie) Carolan, Jamie (Jessica) Carolan, Rob (Holly) Cotter, and Patrick (Rebekah) Cotter; granddaughter, Lillian Cotter; great-grandson, Trevor Carolan; great-granddaughters: Kaitlyn (Shawn), Kristyn (Tony), and Madelyn (Lally) Pellymonter; great-great-grandson, Leo Morris; brother-in-law, Gary (Linda) Girkin; and sisters-in-law: Arlene Sekander, Joyce D’Angelo, and Shirley Girkin; along with many nieces, nephews and other family members.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, Elmer & Myrtle Girkin, brother, Paul Freese, granddaughter, Jennifer Carolan, and brothers-in-law: Bud Girkin, Alvin Girkin, Robert Sekander, and Rudy D’Angelo.
Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.
