Rosanne Crichton Freeburg

Rosanne was born to William and Anne Geldert on August 2, 1927. She passed away on February 9, 2017, at the age of 89. Rosanne was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Dr. Gordon N. Freeburg, eldest daughter, Ruth Anne Freeburg, parents, sister, Elayne Ludescher, and nieces, Rosanne (Judy) Clark and Carol Richter. She is survived by four children, twelve grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and one niece. Rosanne was very passionate about education, music, church, and especially her family.

Rosanne was among the happiest people you would ever meet. She always had a smile on her face. Everyone that knew her loved her attitude. She spent the last four years in Cary, North Carolina. She was active at Jordan Oaks (independent living) and SFUMC. She was fundamental in setting up a program where SFUMC would transport residents to church each Sunday. She participated in every concert and program that was made available right in the front – rejoicing, clapping, and singing with every performance. She had a very strong faith.

She loved to travel. She made sure her five kids had an eventful vacation every year and visited nearly every state in the US, roughing it in tents, trailers, and eventually a motor home. In addition, she traveled abroad to Japan, United Kingdom, France, India, Canada, Mexico, Philippines, and Greece.

Music was an essential part of her life. She played the piano and organ for her church from a very young age. As a young adult, she would accompany her father and sing anywhere and everywhere. At one of her performances, she identified her future husband, Gordon N. Freeburg, in the audience and sang “If I Were the Only Girl and You Were the Only Boy” right to him. They were married a short time later. With a beautiful voice, she maintained the singing through her life by directing choirs or singing in choirs well into her 80’s. She was even known to sing during physical and occupational therapy. She encouraged people to attend SFUMC because of their beautiful music programs. She loved being able to enjoy everything right from the front row at church.

Education was always of the upmost importance for Rosanne. She attended college at Miss Wood’s School in Minneapolis and taught every grade, specializing in elementary education. She went to the Philippines as a Peace Corps Volunteer to teach the teachers in 1989. She completed her doctoral degree for education with emphasis on charter schools and teacher accountability.

There were very few things that Rosanne would not try. She ran for the US Senate in 1992 with education as her platform and received 39% of the votes in the primary.

She was an active member in the Easter Star, Daughters of the Nile, Scottish Rite, and many organizations within the United Methodist Church. Rosanne was very artistic. She would draw, paint, and craft and kept her family engaged in creativity her entire life. There is a fond memory of her artistic ministry where she would design a large picture of a dog, Bruno, to be used during the children’s service each Sunday.

Her family was the most important thing to her. Rosanne had five children, 12 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Her family lived across the United States, but regardless of where they were physically, they were always in her heart. She was always the first to say, “I have the best kids!”

Rosanne is survived by: son Bill Freeburg, wife Peggy, grandson Chad, wife Courtney, great-granddaughter, Isla, and grandson Eric, wife Emily; grandson Jason Burroughs, wife Jessica, great-grandchildren Austin and Brittany, granddaughter Jaime Burroughs, great-grandchildren Kassidy and Ava Ann; son Gordon Peterson, wife Laura, granddaughter Kristen, husband Jonathan, great-grandchildren Ella and Benjamin, granddaughter Kathleen, husband Todd, and granddaughter Eleanor, husband Brett and great-grandson Mikey; daughter Merrilee Tomlinson, husband Paul, grandson Christopher, and grandson Matthew; daughter Minnetta Costa, husband Patrick, granddaughter Danielle, husband Ryan, great-granddaughters Emily and Sarah, grandson Tyler and great-grandson Owen, and grandson Trevor; niece Marlene (Laney) Little.

In addition to flowers, memorials may be given to the Saint Francis United Methodist Church Educational Scholarship Fund at 2965 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary, NC 27518. Please make checks payable to SFUMC with "Educational Scholarships" on the memo line. Donations may be made online at www.saintfrancisumc.org/online-giving. (Follow the prompts and choose "Scholarship Fund" from the drop-down menu.)

Arrangements for the Freeburg family are under the care of Brown-Wynne Cary. Online condolences may be made at www.brownwynnecary.com.