Freeman Gonnerman (1901-1994)

GONNERMAN, NELSON, LORENSEN, MOHR, DIMMIT, FORSYTAT

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 11/22/2016 at 02:51:00

SERVICES HELD FOR FREEMAN GONNERMAN

Freeman Gonnerman, the son of Jake and Sophia Nelson Gonnerman, was born near Dysart, Iowa on February 5, 1901. He attended schools near his childhood home and came to the Hartley area at age 17.

He was united in marriage at Spencer, Iowa to Freda Lorensen in the Methodist Church on May 20, 1925. To this union were born two children.

He farmed for seventeen years in the Hartley vicinity and worked for O'Brien County on road maintenance for 19 years. He moved into town in 1949 and retired in 1966. He remained active even during retirement, helping various businessmen in Hartley. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and its mens club.

He passed away suddenly on May 10, 1974 at the age of 73.

Preceding him in death were his parents, and three brothers.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, one son, Duane of Royal, one daughter, Mrs. Kenneth (June) Mohr of Hartley, five grandsons and one granddaughter. Also surviving are two brothers, Earl of Primghar and Charles of Hartley and four half-brothers, Clarence and Louis of Oakland, Iowa and Robert and Roger of Pueblo, Colo., and two half-sisters, Lucille Dimmit of Long Beach, Calif., and Mary Lou Forsytat of Pueblo, Colo., as well as many other friends and relatives.

Services were held at the United Methodist Church in Hartley, Iowa on Monday, May 13, 1974 at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Robert A. McBlain officiated. Casket bearers, were Marvin Gonnerman, LeRoy Gonner­man, Fred Jacobs, Les Klein-ke, Arlyn McClure and George Koens. The honorary casket attendants were Art Linder, Marion Rose, Martin Rachuy, William Mohni, Hobart Put­nam and Vera Donnenwerth. Burial was in Pleasant View Cemetery at Hartley, Iowa.

The sun is setting in the West
and I am going home.
To be with God, My Father,
and nevermore to roam.

My life on earth has ended,
But a new day is drawing nigh
As I cross the River Jordan
To my home high in the sky.

Oh, the glory that awaits me
When I finally climb those stairs.
For My Savior is going to greet me,
For He is waiting there.

With all glory shining round him,
And His hands stretched out to me.
Oh, what a glorious adventure
This trip is going to be.

My pain will all be lifted.
My cares and worries gone.
Do not sorrow or grieve for me;
For I am going home.

By Violet Gonnerman

Hartley (Iowa) Sentinel, May 16, 1974, p7