Lilly Joy Freebury, 82

Lilly Joy Freebury, age 82, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, Montana with her family at her side. Lilly was born on April 11, 1925 to Ed and Nellie Ness.

She was raised on the family homestead near Kila. Her early education was attending Kila Grade School and then graduating from Flathead High School in 1942. At the beginning of WWII, Lil moved to Washington where she worked in the naval shipyards during the war effort. She often laughed about writing letters to many of the soldiers from the Flathead Valley during the war. It seems she used toilet paper to write the letters on so the boys always wanted her to write often.

She married one of the returning soldiers, Ernie Freebury, in Woodland Park on June of 1948. For the next 43 years, Ernie and Lil raised two children together here in the Flathead until Ernie passed away in 1990.

Lil sold real estate in the valley for more than 40 years. In that time she was a member of more volunteer and public services organizations than can be listed. She had a natural talent as a leader and to get things done and served her community well. Lil walked everyday of her life with God in her heart and is with him now.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie and a granddaughter Laura. She is now survived by her son: Ernie Freebury and wife Donna of Kalispell, MT and her daughter, Linda McGee of Las Vegas, NV; also 5 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; one brother, Lindy Ness of Mile City, MT and extended family.

Funeral services for Lilly Freebury will be held Monday April 14, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Nazarene on Whitefish Stage Road in Kalispell with burial to follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Sat, April 12, 2008 from 9am to 1 pm in the Johnson-Gloschat Chapel.

Johnson & Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Lilly's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Lilly's guest book.