Edna May Freeman

May 17, 1941 - November 2, 2018

Edna May Freeman, 77, of Kalkaska, also known as “Miss Edna” to family, friends, and many children of the Kalkaska area passed away peacefully, with family by her side, on Friday, November 2, 2018. Edna has been a resident of Kalkaska since her high school days and before that she lived in Fife Lake where she had a wonderful childhood with many memories of the area along with her 11 siblings. Edna married John Freeman Sr. twenty-five years ago at their home in Kalkaska surrounded by their blended family. They spent many wonderful years as the best of friends in all their journeys seeing their children, family and friends around the country. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend and her spirit and sense of life will be greatly missed. Edna’s life had a foundation of faith and family throughout which was a bright example to all who knew her and were blessed to be touched by her. She always had a smile and never doubted helping others. Born on May 17, 1941 in Hazel Park, Michigan, her parents Henrietta (Hank) and Paul Kroesing decided to move their family north so she attended Fife Lake schools and Kalkaska High school graduating in 1960. Edna was the Homecoming Queen in 1960, not surprising to those around her because Edna was always kind and respected by others her entire life. Edna raised her two sons Randy and Danny in Kalkaska and at the same time also took on business ownership by running a successful daycare which began over 40 years ago as “Edna’s Daycare”. She formed, supported, raised, educated, and mentored hundreds of children from all around Northern Michigan. Edna was an advocate for children, a parent mentor assisting many parents during their child rearing years with a listening patient ear and sound loving advice. She had the experience and love to care for so many children. This is her legacy that will live in our hearts, memories and thoughts of her. Edna had many hobbies but many know of her craft of sewing as her love. She was a talented seamstress. This was her passion along with cooking a wonderful meal for her family and friends and having everyone around the table together. Edna and her husband John also loved to boat on Lake Michigan, travel all over the United States, and in her earlier years she spent many days on the ski slopes or the snowmobile trails with her family. Edna was a member of the Kalkaska United Methodist church and volunteered in any way she was needed at church. Edna was also the Assistant Director of the Miss Kalkaska/Trout Queen pageant for over 10 years. She was a mentor to young ladies and loved being a part of the Kalkaska community. She knew the people in Kalkaska are what made it such a special place for her to live. Edna is survived by her husband John Freeman Sr.; siblings Patty (Thomas) Kroesing of Traverse City, Pauline and (Murray) Garner of Kalkaska, Alice Cornell of Kalkaska, Betty Findley of Kalkaska, Mickey and (Mike) Ubl of Traverse City; her sons Randy of Traverse City, Danny and (Kellie) Wells of Saint Charles, Illinois, step-daughters Tracy and (Chris) Scorse of Flower Mound Texas, and Robin (Rick) Horrocks of Ashland Ohio. Edna was blessed to have 14 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. Edna was preceded in her passing by her parents Henrietta (Hank) and Paul Kroesing Jr.; her sisters Margaret (Peters) Kroesing, Beverly (Boyer) Kroesing, her brothers Paul Kroesing, Jim Kroesing, and Larry Kroesing; her step-son John (Johnny) Freeman Jr. A visitation for family and friends to gather and share remembrances of Edna will be held on Friday, November 9th, at the Kalkaska Funeral Home in Kalkaska from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the Kalkaska United Methodist Church in Kalkaska on Saturday the 10th of November 2018 at 11:00 a.m. A light luncheon will be provided after the graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Edna's name to the Kalkaska United Methodist Church. You will be missed but your legacy will live on.