Shirley A. Freese

Shirley A. Freese, 88, of Spruce, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026 at MyMichigan Medical Center, Alpena.

Born October 21, 1937, to Harold and Velma (Gusler) McKay, in Alpena, she was a lifelong resident of the Spruce area. Shirley enjoyed a long career in food service, starting at the age of 16 at Jack’s Diner in Hubbard Lake. She worked for years at Mt. Maria Ski Lodge, Smokeys, Cedar Grove, and Littletown Lodge. She loved to bake and decorate cakes. She enjoyed camping, boating, and playing games or cards with friends. She loved to shop, and was often found tending to her flowers. On December 20, 1997, she married Fred Freese in Spruce. She was a member of Spruce Lutheran Church.

Shirley is survived by three children, Tim (Pamela) Rasmussen, Kristi (Craig) Kubbe, and Kari (Kevin) Bartz, her son-in-law, Jeff Sager, ten grandchildren, Michelle (Otis) Williams, Erin (Justin) Mahalak, Megan (Jerred) Hoppe, Kaleb (Alanie) Sager, Karaline (Josh) Durrance, Lily Sager (Justin Smith), Shelby Kubbe (Mike Cracchiolo), Kristopher Kubbe, Kourtney (Kyle) Viana, and Kyler Bartz, 13 great grandchildren, and her sister, Lucille Schultz. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Freese on November 22, 2017, her daughter, Tina Sager on May 10, 2022, her grandson, Jared Sager on December 14, 2019, and seven siblings, Gayle Timm, Kenneth McKay, Maxine Stevens, Judy Harvey, Dale Mousseau, Jim Mousseau, and Gloria Dziesinski.

Cremation arrangements were made through Gillies Funeral Home, Lincoln. Per Shirley’s wishes, no services have been planned.