Mary Hansen Freund

MARY H. FREUND Click here to view Mary's Video Tribute IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Mary Jean Hansen Freund, 78, died Saturday, August 29, 2009, at her home in Idaho Falls. She was born August 26, 1931, in Idaho Falls, the fifth child and only daughter of Lily Wahlquist Hansen and Farrel Lawrence Hansen, Sr. Mary spent most of her childhood living on the family farm in the Osgood area. Mary attended Eagle Rock and Hawthorne Elementary, O.E. Bell Junior High, and Idaho Falls High Schools. After graduating high school in 1949, Mary attended the University of Idaho. She was active in the Tri-Delta sorority, where she served as Activities Chair, Vice-President and President. While at the UI, Mary was also quite involved in Pan-Hellenic Council, Elections Board, United Caucus, Homecoming Committee, and Association of Women Students. She graduated in 1953 with a Business degree. After graduation, Mary moved back to Idaho Falls where she took a job as a secretary at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. There she met a young chemical engineer named George Freund. They were married on November 27, 1954. Through the course of their marriage, Mary and George had six children. In the early 1970s, Mary and two friends, Joyce Cooper and Linda Baxter, formed the Merry Mother Puppeteers and began touring local elementary schools performing puppet shows. Mary wrote the scripts and the three ladies created characters such as Blueberry Muffin, Kissing Monster, Officer Helpful, and Mizzledobbledorf. With her distinct voice, Mary was often recognized by children who exclaimed "You're Blueberry Muffin!" Mary saw the important application of puppets in the classroom and beyond. She used puppets to teach lessons to her students as well as making puppets for counselors and others to use with children who had been abused. Mary knew that young victims would often tell puppets things they would not tell people. In her later years, Mary would make and send puppets to children who never had one or needed a special gift at a tough time. Countless packages from "Grandma Mary" would show up to brighten a young person's world. When her youngest child began elementary school, Mary embarked on a career of long-term substitute teaching in the Idaho Falls area. She had a lifelong love of learning and used those skills, along with a basic respect for people to create a memorable classroom experience for her students. In 1997, Mary and George established the Alois and Marie Goldmann Scholarship in memory of George's grandparents who were murdered at Auschwitz. Through this scholarship, Mary helped raise awareness in her home state of Idaho about the atrocities of the Holocaust. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Lily and Farrel Hansen,, her husband, George Freund, and two brothers, Farrel and Reed. She is survived by her children: Ruth (Marv) Pierce of Twin Falls, ID; John (Ree) of Albuquerque, NM; Anne (Terry) Ross of Hudson, WI; Jane of Boise, ID; Tom (Kaily) of Medford, OR; and Paul of Kimberly, ID. Mary is also survived by her six grandchildren: Scott, Jake, Logan, Lynze, Samuel, and Erica, as well as by her brothers, Orval (June) of Arlington, VA; Norman (Clem) of Pocatello, ID; and John (Michelle) of Idaho Falls, ID, and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Hoff Hansen and Barbara Hansen, both of Idaho Falls, ID. Mary was beloved by many other family members and friends who will miss her as well. The family would like to thank Mary's neighbors, Alice Kay & Gary Wilson and Bill & Betty Peters for their many years of friendship and support. In addition, much appreciation to Sylvia Smallwood, Kim Fredrickson, and the team at Qualicare as well as to Lani, Kenny, and the staff at Creekside Home Health & Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alois and Marie Goldmann Scholarship Fund at the Idaho Community Foundation, P.O. Box 8143, Boise, ID 83707. Funeral services will b e held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2009, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave. in Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Saturday at Wood Funeral Home. Burial will be at Fielding Memorial Park. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Carol (Solomon) & Russ Howe Our hearts are with all of you. It is very unsettling to not have parents. It made me feel like an orphan for a while. You have each other and you have lots of memories. Keep the memories alive. Keep things that remind you of the happy times around your. I wear lots of my mothers jewelry and my father's jackets and I feel like I am being hugged by them. Don't make decisions to get rid of things too quickly. You and always dispose of things later, but you cannot get them back if you want them once they are gone. I remember the red and green bread, the puppets, the 4th of July snowball fight, and lots of laughter around your big kitchen table. You mom was a surrogate mom for me whenever she came to Logan or the few times I went to Idaho Falls. All our Love, Carol and Russ Sharon Lackaff sharon.lackaff@gmail.com I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. I wish I could be there, try and stay strong. Love and sympathy from Sharon in Boise, ID. Kelly Kubitschek Ruth, John, Anne, Jane, Tom and Paul, Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the of your mom. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. Linda Baxter lkbax@msn.com The Baxter family sends our love and prayers to you all. Please know we have very fond memories of your Mother, she was truly a very special lady. The Merry Mother Puppeteers were a very special time in our lives, and also the "scones" and snow balls on the 4th of July, the leaves in the fall, and the fun the boys had in the attic when it was time to put together another puppet show. Mary gave me the "German Sauerbraten" recipe and we have had it many times for special occasions. Love and prayers for you all. The Baxter's in Boise ID Paul Cook paul.cook@goswerve.com Tom and Paul I am heard of your mom's passing by my parents who summer in Island park. Your mother was a wonderful mother, friend, and she brought happiness to all. Many years ago I got to visit with her. As we were growing up there many a sleep overs and lots of fun at your house, especially on the 4th. Take care, and if you are up in Enumclaw WA stop by or give me a call - (360) 802-3838 Steve & Terri Butz Anne and Jane, I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless, Steve & Terri Carolyn Thornton Dear Jane, I wanted to say I'm so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you. Danette Frederiksen danikilgore@yahoo.com Hi there, Jane.Such a startling report to get online. I hope your mom went comfortably. It's never easy for those of us left on Earth. May you find comfort in the Lord, in good memories, and in the love of family and friends. With Love and prayers always, Danette Bruce Palmer bruce.palmer@idfg.idaho.gov Mary was one of the finest ladies I ever met. We had many great conversations and shared a number of laughs particularly during the five o' clock cocktail hour. My thoughts are with all of you. She will be missed by all she encountered. Dane Watkins thewatkinscompany@cs.com I want to send our condolences on the recent passing of your mother. She will be missed by all who knew her. She was a great person and her outstanding accomplishments will always be remembered by our community. Sherry and I want you to know that our prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, Dane & Sherry Watkins Helen Leblond hleblond@nc.rr.com Our prayers are with all of you as you continue to face life without your mother, grandmother, best friend. Mary and her family graciously made us feel welcome during our brief years when we were stationed in Idaho Falls with the Navy. I first met Mary when she was a substitute at Edgemont School, everyone loved Ms. Blueberry Muffin! When daughter, Anne, also began teaching at Edgemont we became fast friends. The Freund family invited Ron & I (and then Jess)to the 4th of July parades, Easter egg hunts and many other family activities. We will miss Mary and want to again thank the Freund family for opening your hearts and home & sharing your mother & father with two young folks from NC who were far from home and terribly home sick. You will always have a special place in our hearts (and a place to stay if you are ever in NC).