Elizabeth Freeberg

Elizabeth Ann Freeberg (or Amy as she was known to many), 88, died March 5, 2019, at Kinder Care Home in West Fargo, North Dakota.

Elizabeth was born to Frederick and Elizabeth (Schaller) Zinter on January 16, 1931, near Ellendale, ND.

Liz had a long career as an educator, beginning her teaching career at the age of 17 in a one-room schoolhouse near her home.   After receiving her college degree and marrying her college sweetheart, Howard, the couple taught in both Ashley and Marion before moving to West Fargo in 1960.

Shortly after settling in West Fargo, Elizabeth became a charter member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.  She was very proud of her church and her charter membership.

Liz spent a few years at home raising Glynn and Mona and then took a position on the Cass County Bookmobile, a mobile library that traveled from town to town.  She thoroughly enjoyed this and had many stories related to her experiences on the bookmobile.

In 1965, Liz started teaching in Dilworth, Minnesota.  She continued teaching third and fourth graders for 27 years until her retirement in 1992.  Liz was an amazing teacher, loved her students greatly, and she instilled in them knowledge and values.  Thank you notes and letters from past students were treasured, and, even just a few years ago, she received a lengthy letter from a former student stating how she had influenced his life.

Elizabeth was a very sociable person and enjoyed entertaining.  She and Howard were known for frequently hosting fun house parties as well as large family holiday gatherings at their home.

Being a “true German,” Elizabeth like to do things her way -- She saved home improvement projects to do while Howard was traveling for work, thereby getting to complete them the way she wanted.

In her retirement years, Elizabeth enjoyed gardening, quilting, travelling and spending time with her grandkids.  She spent many hours working in her backyard landscaping and tending her flower and vegetable gardens.  She and Howard traveled frequently, visiting many areas in the world, but they always thought their backyard was ultimately the best place to be.  Elizabeth took up quilting and produced award-winning quilts.  She spent several years making beautiful quilts for each of her grandchildren.

Elizabeth had many nicknames, and she often said that she knew who was calling by the name for whom they asked.  Baby Ann, as she was called by her immediate family, was Ams to Howard, Amy to Howard’s family, Liz to her friends and co-workers, and Elizabeth professionally.  She added yet another nickname when she affectionately became known as Lizzie after moving to the Kinder-Care Home in 2014.  The family is very grateful to everyone at Kinder-Care for the loving attention and family atmosphere they provided Lizzie in her final years.

Elizabeth is survived by her son, Glynn (Rita) Freeberg, Gilby, ND; daughter Mona (Mike) Thorstad, West Fargo; five grandchildren, Jennifer Freeberg, Snohomish, Washington; Matthew (Amber) Thorstad, West Fargo, ND; Michael (Annie) Freeberg, Portland, ND; Mindi (Jeff Vandeberg) Thorstad, Hugo, MN; Mason (Reagan) Thorstad, Fargo, ND; and eight great-grandchildren; In-laws Leonard Freeberg, Irene Tocci, John Fiandaca, Keith and Gerry Freeberg, and Dwight Tracy, along with numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her sisters Eleanor (Richard) Young and Maizie (Jack) Bassingwaite; and her brother Walther (Faye) Zinter; along with many beloved in-laws.

Funeral Services  10:30 Saturday, March 9, 2019, at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, West Fargo, ND.

Visitation: An hour prior to the funeral.

Burial will be at Prairie Homes Cemetery, Moorhead, MN, at a later date.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center  

westfuneralhome.com

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