Everett Scott Freel

Everett Freel of Ames, Iowa, passed away on June 16, 2023, at Bethany Life Services in Story City, Iowa. Everett was born November 2, 1934, in rural Boone County, Iowa, to Walter Freel and Bessie (Slippy) Freel. He graduated from Ames High School in 1953 and married his high school sweetheart Marilyn (Kyle) in 1954. Everett enlisted in the Army in aircraft maintenance and was stationed in Virginia and Kansas. After active duty, he returned to Ames and joined the Iowa Army National Guard, where he served for 34 years, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 4.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 10:30 am at Stevens Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 21,2023 from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Stevens Memorial Chapel. Burial with military rites will be in Gilbert Cemetery immediately following the service.

Marilyn and Everett bought his father’s garbage route and started Freel Garbage Service. They expanded their service area to several nearby towns during its operation. By the time they retired and sold Freel Sanitation Company in 1998, it was the 5th largest privately owned garbage service in the US.

Everett was the Coordinator and Chief of the Westory (Gilbert/Kelley) Fire Department for many years, helped with the March of Dimes, was a Red Cross CPR instructor, and was a First Responder for the Gilbert Fire Department. Everett was a long-time Moose Member. He was active in the American Legion, serving as a past Commander, Vice Commander, Honor Guard, The Forty & Eight, and Post Executive Board, as well as many other volunteer activities to support the American Legion and its mission.

In 2002, Everett helped organize the first Legion Riders Chapter in Iowa at Des Moines Post 731. He served as Advisory Board Chairman during the formation of the Iowa Legion Riders. In 2006, he started the Legion Riders of Ames Chapter.

Everett and Marilyn loved to travel and enjoyed doing so on their motorcycles. They rode in all 50 states and many countries, renting a motorcycle if they were overseas. He loved challenges and adventures, such as piloting his airplane, water skiing, snow skiing, and more.

In his retirement years, you could find Everett tinkering in his shop, riding his motorcycle, spending time with friends and family, enjoying a good Western movie, driving his ‘55 T-Bird, and always finding ways to stay active. Everett was known for happily lending a helping hand, his positive outlook on life, and his knack for cheering people up. Everett was quite a prankster, bringing laughter to any room.

Everett is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his children Gary (Kelly) Freel of Ames, Randy (De Ann) Freel of Nevada, and Susan (Steve) Jones of Ames; his granddaughters Billie (Daniel), Nicole and Shaye; grandson Ethan, and great-grandsons Alexander and Zachary, his sister, Sandra (Tom), sisters-in-law, Pat, Carole, Donna, and brother-in-law, Rodger, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Legion Post 37, 225 Main St, Ames, IA 50010, to support our Veteran community.

Motorcycles are welcome.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.StevensMemorialChapel.com for the Freel family.