Robert G. Freeburg, 79, of Frankfort, SD, died Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield. His funeral will be Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Redfield. Reverend Grace Rhodes will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Frankfort. After the burial there will be lunch and fellowship at the Community Center in Frankfort. Visitation will be Friday from 1-8:00 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 5:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Robert was born in Hitchcock on December 26, 1929 to George and Neva (Lucke) Freeburg. He moved to the Frankfort area when he was one year old. Robert attended country school and Frankfort high School where he graduated in 1947. He then attended SDSU for one year before returning to the Frankfort area to farm. Robert married Marlis M. Newman on January 17, 1954. In 1989, they moved into Frankfort where they have lived for twenty years. Robert "retired" from farming in 1999 after losing his son and partner, Jimmy.

Robert served many years on the Prairie Center Township board, Cenex board, FSA ag credit board, SD State Snowmobile Association board and the Methodist Church board. Robert's faith in God and in his church helped him cope with his cancer for the past four years. He was a lifelong member of the Frankfort United Methodist Church and a fifty-seven year member of the Masonic Lodge and a Yelduz Shriner.

Robert was a hard working man but also had a zest for life. He enjoyed fishing, camping, snowmobiling, square dancing, singing hymns and playing Bridge. His favorite times were spent entertaining his grandchildren in the warm Arizona sun where he and Marlis spent the last twenty-five winters.

Robert is survived by his loving devoted wife, Marlis, of fifty-five years; children: Jody (Monte) Bryant of Gilbert, AZ and Jedd (Janell) Freeburg of Algona, IA; grandchildren: Jesse Freeburg, Amber Freeburg, Shannon Freeburg, Travis Bryant, Kasey Bryant, Cheyanne Bryant, Derek Freeburg, Danielle Freeburg and Alynnia Freeburg, Christopher Drayer, Christina (Randy) Nessman and Matthew Drayer and great grandchildren: Tara, Caleb, Paige and Milo. He is also survived by his sisters: Eleanor (Don) Grieben of Tumwater, WA; June Bottum of Tulare and Shirley (Daryl) Chase of Huron.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son James and brother-in-law Delbert Bottum.