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FREEMAN Elizabeth Jane

Female 1937 - 2013  (76 years)


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  • Name FREEMAN Elizabeth Jane 
    Birth 22 Jun 1937  Franklin, Renville Co., MN Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    First Communion 30 May 1945  St. Marks Church Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Confirmation 08 Jul 1948  St. Marks Church Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Death 26 Sep 2013  St. Paul, Ramsey Co., MN Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • "Betty" ~ (nee: Freeman) Age 76, of St. Paul
      Betty died unexpectedly on September 26, 2013 at Regions Hospital of complications from heart surgery.

      Betty and Bob were married in Las Vegas on July 28, 1976. They love to travel to Las Vegas and to visit friends and family around the country. Betty touched many lives in her 40 years as an elementary school teacher in St. Paul and through her work in her church and with the Franciscan Brothers of Peace and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Betty enjoyed crafts of all kinds and introduced many nieces, nephews and friends to the world of crafts and sewing. Betty was also a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. She was also a member of Postulant Class of '54.

      She was preceded in death by beloved husband Robert, parents Charles and Bernice, siblings Charles, Getrude Mary, Patricia, Mary Kathleen, John and Joanne.

      Survived by sisters-in-law Carol Freeman and Irene Pruzan. Nieces and nephews: Sue Lamotte (John Polzin), Michelle Giguere (Tim), Sheila Heuer (Kevin), Jane LaMotte, Dan LaMotte (Stephanie), Bob Freeman, Tim Freeman (Kathy), Patrick Freeman (Barb), Doug Freeman (Laurie), Brian Freeman (Pam), Pam Foster (Rich), Tom Freeman (Beth), Karen Rodriguez, Gretchen Flynn (Brian), Heidi Franke (Matt).

      Great Nieces and Nephews: Tim, Molly, Danny Quinn, Andy, Kenny, Kimberly and Ali Freeman, Michael, Molly, Patrick Flynn, Emma, Rebecca, Charlie Franke, Jackson, Kristin Foster, Tucker, Owen, Gavin, Finn Freeman, Jackson, Gabby LaMotte and many other great and great-great nieces and nephews. Also, survived by special Grandson, Tommy Polzin. Betty was a special friend of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

      Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 am Monday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1801 LaCrosse Ave., St. Paul, visitation at church 9:30 to 10:30 Monday September 30th. Burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred. Arr. Chapel Funeral Providers, 651-224-8080.
    Notes 
    • Became a nun, professed March 9, 1957
      Final vows August 6 1962 sister of St. Joseph of Carondalet
      SSN: 469-38-0915

      Worked as an elementary school teacher in the St. Paul Public Schools until retirement June 16, 1997 after 30 years of service.

      Christen: July 4, 1937 in Franklin, Renville Co., Minnesota in Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

      Presented by Brian Freeman at Betty's one year memorial:

      The Life of Betty Leedom


      Betty was born June 22, 1937, the last surviving and middle child of 7 siblings:
      Charles Robert 73
      Gertrude Mary 0 Stillborn in 1934
      Patricia Ann 41
      Elizabeth Jane 76
      Mary Kathleen 1
      John McDonough 64
      Margaret Joanne 66

      Betty and family grew up in Franklin, MN near the Lower Sioux Indian Reservation in Morton, MN. This was the 3rd generation of Freemans living in Franklin.

      Her grandfather, Charles Etson Freeman, owned a firm called Poss & Freeman starting in 1909 as a partnership. By 1915 they split the business and named it “Freeman Furniture, Lumber, and Undertaking”, which tells you what he did. Charles E. was a very prominent person in Franklin and married to Kathryn Elizabeth Brown “Katy” for 51 years. Charles E. kept the store until 1950, a year before he died, at the age of 81. To date, he has over 109 descendants.

      Of his 8 children, Charles Lyle Freeman became Betty’s Father and married Bernice Hart, or “Bee.” As many know, Bee is our link to Native American ancestry. She was enrolled at White Earth, the same as Betty. Bee died at the age of 84 and Charles L. at 51.

      At about 19 years old, Betty took her vows at ST. Joseph of Corondalet, becoming a nun. As many do when they enter the church, they will choose a name they will be called while they serve god.

      Betty cared so deeply for her younger sister who died at the age of one, she took her name and was known as Sister Mary Kathleen Freeman. While in the convent, Sister Mary Kathleen worked towards and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Saint Catherine on July 21st, 1966.

      Betty stayed in the convent and followed her vows 10 years, until she asked to be released of her vows in 1967, about a month after I was born. I found out only in the last 10 years that she was my God Mother.

      At almost the same time, Betty was offered a job with the St. Paul School System teaching 1st grade students at Riverview Elementary School. Nine years later, she married Robert Leedom in Las Vegas, on July 28th, 1976.

      Betty continued to work for the St. Paul school system as an elementary teacher until June 16th, 1997 after 30 years of service.

      Betty also remained loyal to Bob as his wife for 20 years until he passed on Jun 28, 1996 at the age of 72. They loved each other and supported each other in marriage and life.

      Betty remained highly active in the church since she was a nun. She had close ties to her aunt, Sister Gurtrude. Gurtrude spent most of her 88 years serving the church as a nun.

      Betty’s interests outside of the church included her love for children. Many of us here have worn clothing as toddlers that Betty made just for each of us. She has taken us into her home many times as children and adults just because she cared for us. She cared deeply for most of her family, though she never had any kids of her own. This is one of her biggest legacies.

      She also had a love for crafts. Those of you who saw her home (especially the basement) have seen that. She loved to make clothing, dolls, cards, beading, and many other things for other people.

      She enjoyed working on the family tree and was my first source of information when I started getting into genealogy. Since then we now have information on over 50,000 relatives.

      Betty was also interested in her Native American heritage. Though it was many generations ago now, we come from a native woman given the white name of Marguerite Racine. Her Indian name was O-Ge-mau-gee-Shi-go-Qua or Queen of The Skies. She was married to a French Canadian Bazile Beaulieu, a highly documented family.

      Betty attended occasional pow wows with me and some drum practices for a while. About 15 years ago she asked the same person that did the pipe ceremony for Pam and me at our wedding, to perform a naming ceremony for her. She had always wanted an Indian name. Unfortunately, that never happened.

      Though we come from an Ojibwe heritage, I myself have learned and follow the Lakota/Dakota ways.

      In the Dakota way, traditionally a person has 4 names through out their life. They are given a name at birth, and then another when becoming an adult. Later in life it is common to have another name that is used. Finally, in death a name is given to the person for the spirits to use in the after life.

      When she was born, Betty’s given name was Elizabeth Jane. When she joined the convent she took the name of Sister Mary Kathleen. After leaving the convent her commonly used name was Betty.

      Since Betty was never able to receive the Indian name she wanted, I have decided to give her an Indian name to take with her to the spirit world.

      I hereby give her the name of

      Koskala Awankiciyanka

      In Lakota, this means: She who looks after the young.


      Finally, I want to sing a memorial song in her honor. The tradition is to allow 1 year to mourn the loss of a loved one. At the end of a year a memorial is held to honor that person and then release their spirit. There should be no more mourning after our memorial today, for Betty.

      The song I am about to sing says in Lakota:

      Where have you gone?
      Your relatives are crying, looking for you.


      Tuwe sita ku
      Tokaia iyahay, Tokia iyahay
      Mitakuye Koyo
      Cayio onikeylepelo
      Cayi a u wey
      Cayi a u wey
      Oka tika loyo


      Thank you.
    Person ID I3078  Freeman-Smith
    Last Modified 10 Apr 2024 

    Father FREEMAN Charles Lyle,   b. 06 Nov 1906, Franklin, Renville Co., MN Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 12 Dec 1957, Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 51 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Mother HART Bernice Louella,   b. 08 Jun 1908, Beaulieu, Becker Co., MN Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 02 Jan 1983, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., MN Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 74 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Marriage 07 Feb 1931  St. Paul, Ramsey Co., MN Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Catholic Church of St Mark
    Family ID F3040  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family LEEDOM Robert Allison,   b. 19 Aug 1923, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., MN Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 28 Jun 1996, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., MN Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 72 years) 
    Marriage 28 Jul 1976  Las Vegas, Clark Co., NV Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Married in Las Vegas, NV 7-28-76 and 11-76 in St. Paul Blessed Sacrament Church
    Family ID F5015  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 10 Apr 2024 

  • Photos
    Bee & Family
    Bee & Family
    L-R: Joanne Freeman, John Freeman, Charles R. Freeman, Pat Freeman, Betty Freeman, Seated: Bee Hart Freeman
    Betty Freeman Leedom
    Betty Freeman Leedom
    Betty Leedom
    Betty Leedom
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Bob Betty Leedom
    Bob Betty Leedom
    CharlesBettyJoanneJohnPat
    CharlesBettyJoanneJohnPat
    L-R Charles R., Betty, Joanne, John, & Pat Freeman
    Chuck Pat Joanne Betty
    Chuck Pat Joanne Betty
    L-R Pat, Joanne, Charles, Betty
    Freeman Family
    Freeman Family
    Back L-R: Gertrude, Ethyl, Bee, Charles L., Gladys.
    Mid L-R: Betty Jane, Pat
    Front L-R: John, Joanne Freeman, Charles E. Freeman in wheelchair
    Mary Betty Patsy
    Mary Betty Patsy
    L-R: Mary, Betty, Pat Freeman
    Pat Charles Betty
    Pat Charles Betty
    L-R: Betty, Charles R., Pat Freeman
    Betty with nuns
    Betty with nuns
    Betty is in center front holding hat
    Betty's certificate of baptism
    Betty's certificate of baptism
    Betty's Holy Sacrament of Baptism
    Betty's Holy Sacrament of Baptism
    Betty Bee and Joanne
    Betty Bee and Joanne
    L-R Betty, Bee, Joanne
    Betty's Birth Certificate page 1
    Betty's Birth Certificate page 1
    Betty's Birth Certificate page 2
    Betty's Birth Certificate page 2
    Betty Freeman
    Betty Freeman
    Betty's 1st grade report card, page 1
    Betty's 1st grade report card, page 1
    Betty's 1st grade report card, page 2
    Betty's 1st grade report card, page 2
    Betty's 2nd grade report card, page 1
    Betty's 2nd grade report card, page 1
    Betty's 2nd grade report card, page 2
    Betty's 2nd grade report card, page 2
    Betty's 3rd grade report card, page 1
    Betty's 3rd grade report card, page 1
    Betty's 3rd grade report card, page 2
    Betty's 3rd grade report card, page 2
    Betty In Habbit
    Betty In Habbit
    Betty in program
    Betty in program
    Betty
    Betty
    School picture
    Betty's teacher's license
    Betty's teacher's license
    Betty's Teaching Certificate
    Betty's Teaching Certificate
    Teaching letter from St. Paul Schools
    Teaching letter from St. Paul Schools
    Teaching appointment letter
    Teaching appointment letter
    Teaching offer by St. Paul Public Schools
    Teaching offer by St. Paul Public Schools
    Betty's Transcript, page 1
    Betty's Transcript, page 1
    Betty's Transcript, page 2
    Betty's Transcript, page 2
    Betty and Bob's marriage certificate
    Betty and Bob's marriage certificate
    Freeman Kids
    Freeman Kids
    L-R Charles, Pat, Betty, John, Joanne
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Kate, Betty, John, Pat Freeman
    Kate, Betty, John, Pat Freeman
    L-R Betty Freeman, John Freeman, Kate Brown, Pat Freeman
    St. Paul City Assessment Notice
    St. Paul City Assessment Notice
    Sister Mary Kathleen's BA Degree
    Sister Mary Kathleen's BA Degree
    Article of Betty receiving the Habit of St. Joseph Order
    Article of Betty receiving the Habit of St. Joseph Order
    Letter from Sister Mary Kathleen
    Letter from Sister Mary Kathleen
    Taking vows by Sister Mary Kathleen in 1957
    Taking vows by Sister Mary Kathleen in 1957
    Article on perpetual vows by Sister Mary Kathleen
    Article on perpetual vows by Sister Mary Kathleen
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    White Earth enrollment letter for Betty
    White Earth enrollment letter for Betty
    Betty's dispensation from convent, in English
    Betty's dispensation from convent, in English
    Betty's dispensation from convent, in Latin, page 1
    Betty's dispensation from convent, in Latin, page 1
    Betty's dispensation from convent, in Latin, page 2
    Betty's dispensation from convent, in Latin, page 2
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Second Grade Teaching Certificate
    Second Grade Teaching Certificate
    Betty Leedom
    Betty Leedom
    Betty Leedom
    Betty Leedom
    Betty and Bob
    Betty and Bob
    Betty At School
    Betty At School
    Betty and Bob
    Betty and Bob
    In front of house at 1610 4th St., St. Paul, MN
    Betty and Bob Leedom
    Betty and Bob Leedom
    Betty Leedom
    Betty Leedom
    Hospital Letter, page 1
    Hospital Letter, page 1
    Hospital Letter, page 2
    Hospital Letter, page 2
    Betty Jane Freeman
    Betty Jane Freeman
    Betty Jane Freeman and Kip
    Betty Jane Freeman and Kip
    Betty holding Kip
    Betty's Retirement Letter
    Betty's Retirement Letter
    Betty's school picture
    Betty's school picture
    Betty's school picture
    Betty's school picture
    Bob and Betty in Vegas
    Bob and Betty in Vegas
    Betty and Bob Leedom
    Betty and Bob Leedom
    Elizabeth Jane Freeman
    Elizabeth Jane Freeman
    Lennart Nelson, Betty and Bob Leedom
    Lennart Nelson, Betty and Bob Leedom
    L-R: Lennart Nelson, Betty Freeman, Bob Leedom
    Welcome Letter from White Earth
    Welcome Letter from White Earth
    Betty
    Betty
    Bob and Betty
    Bob and Betty
    Bob and Betty
    Bob and Betty
    Betty and Bob
    Betty and Bob
    Betty Leedom
    Betty Leedom
    Betty's Memorial, page 1
    Betty's Memorial, page 1
    Betty's Memorial, page 2
    Betty's Memorial, page 2
    Passion Sunday News
    Passion Sunday News
    Betty and Pat Freeman
    Betty and Pat Freeman
    L-R: Betty Freeman, Patricia Freeman
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Teaching staff
    Teaching staff
    Genevieve is in the back left.
    Betty is in the back right.
    Genevieve and Betty
    Genevieve and Betty
    L-R: Genevieve Nelson, Betty Freeman
    Mrs. Leedom
    Mrs. Leedom
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.


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