OBITUARY
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.
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.
OBITUARY
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.
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.
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