McHenry Plaindealer June 1941

Lifetime Resident of Spring Grove Dies.

Mrs. J. W. Freund Succumbs After Long Suffering

How often it is that after a life's work is completed only a few short years of rest and relaxation are spared to an individual before God calls them to their eternal home in Heaven.

So it was with Mrs. Joseph W. Freund, who, before the dawn broke on Memorial Day, peacefully passed away after months of suffering despite the efforts of her loved ones who hoped and prayed for her recovery.

Although she had made a brave fight for life, Mrs. Freund died at 1:30 a.m., Friday, 30 May 1941, at St. Therese's Hospital, Waukegan, where she had been a patient for four weeks following an illness since January.

She never recovered from an attack of the flu and although she appeared to rally for a short time, she grdually grew weaker until it became evident that she was suffering from the fatal disease Leukemia.

Had she lived until the following day, Mr. and Mrs. Freund would have observed their forty-eighth wedding anniversary. During that time, Mrs. Freund had never suffered any serious illness.

In her home as among her many friends, Mrs. Freund always maintained the same calm, quiet dignity while her sweet smile and kindly sympathetic disposition endeared her to any who knew her. Ever ready to assist a neighbor or friend, she was happiest when doing for others and her words and acts of helpful encouragement will linger in the memories of her friends and loved ones.

The former Anna Miller, daughter of Mathias and Maria (Schaefer) Miller, was born on a farm northwest of Ringwood, 14 October 1871 and had always lived in this vicinity.

On 31 May 1893, she was united in marriage to Joseph W. Freund with Rev. Fr. Mehring performing the ceremony at St. John's Church, Johnsburg.

With Mr. Freund already established in business in West McHnery they lived in the flat above the store for many years, later moving to their home on the Fox River where they resided for the past twenty-four years.

Mrs. Freund loved her home and was happy in the care of her family of six daughters and one son in whom she instilled the principles which were so evident in her own life.

Besides her grief stricken husband, who recently marked his fiftieth anniversary in the clothinig business in West McHenry, surviors are her daughters Mrs. Julia Kent, Mrs. Rosina Zvonar of Chicago, Mrs. Lenore Cooley, Mrs. Flora Fitzgerald and Mrs. Rita Sayler of McHenry, Mrs. Cornelia Nye of Aurora and Elmer Freund, West McHenry postmaster; and twelve grandchildren.

There are also two brothers, Albert Miller of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Peter Miller of Long Beach, California, and two sisters, Mrs. Millie Brown of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Mrs. Frances Kaelin of Aurora. One son, Odo died in infancy.

Last fall Mrs. freund and her sister, Mrs. Kaelin, enjoyed a trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they visited their other sister and brother, their first reunion in many years.

Mrs. Freund was a faithful member of St. Mary's Church as well as the Women's Catholic Order of Foresters and the Christian Mothers of St. Mary's Church.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, 2 June, at St. Mary's Church with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery where myriads of floral offerings were a token of love and esteem.

Pallbearers were Vernon Freund, Loren Rothermel, Joseph J. Miller, Anton P. Freund, Albert Barbian and Joseph Klapperich.

Six honorary pallbearers were members of the Women's Catholic Order of Foresters and Christian Mothers.