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Rhea Freese Obituary
Rhea graduated May 1953 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. She then took the opportunity to travel to what at the time was considered an overseas assignment - Kodiak, Alaska - where she began her teaching career and love for Alaska. Rhea later moved to Fairbanks to continue teaching at Ladd Army Airfield, where she met and married Gerald Freese. Together, Rhea and Gerry had three sons, Charles, Richard and Samuel. Rhea completed her teaching career at University Park Elementary School located in College.
Rhea taught at University Park for close to 30 years until her retirement. Many locals of Fairbanks had passed through Mrs. Freese's classroom over the years and would continue to stop and say hello to her decades after her retirement. This is just a small insight to the lasting impact she had on her students and community during her life.
Rhea is preceded in death by her husband Gerald Freese. She is survived by her sons Charlie and wife Kirstin Freese of Spokane, Washington; Richard and wife Paula Freese of San Diego, California; and Samuel and wife Susan Freese of Fairbanks. Six grandchildren followed: Richard's children Kalen Kornfeind and Kendall Freese, Samuel and Susan's children Angela and husband Scott Showalter, Andrew and wife Kelci Hopp, Rheanna Freese, and Sarah and husband Jordan Merkes. She has two great grandchildren: Angela and Scott Showalter's children, Samuel Showalter and Laura Showalter.
True to her nature, Rhea lived her life independently and not wanting to be an inconvenience, she died shortly after entering an assisted care home. Special thanks to Angela Showalter and Marion Griffin (of Let Us Care Assisted Living) for caring for Rhea in her final days. The family is especially thankful to Mike Singh for being a great neighbor to Rhea over the years.
Rhea will be laid to rest next to her husband at Northern Lights Memorial Cemetery. There will be no service held upon Rhea's request.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rhea Freese
Colleen Kelley
September 27, 2020
Mrs. Freese was my 6th grade teacher at (old) University Park school. I frequently ran into her in Fairbanks, and I always told her that was my favorite year in school, thank in large part to her. My condolences to her family.
Jo Ryman Scott
September 14, 2020
To the Freese children — especially Richard who, I believe, is the one who attended my Musical Nursery School in Fairbanks in the 1960s. I want you children to know what a remarkable teacher Rhea was. I’m happy that I often let her know how much I appreciated all she did for so many children. You can be proud of the legacy she left.
Sincerely,
Jo Ryman Scott, now living in a retirement community in Tucson.
Roland R Castillo
September 7, 2020
Charlie,Richard, and Sam sorry to hear about your mom.I never had the privilege of meeting either of your parents.But they must have been really cool.I know both her boys are.Stay strong,God bless
S Chambers
September 3, 2020
My deepest condolences to the Family of Rhea. I’m so sorry for your loss. MAY the God of all comfort give you the strength to endure this sad occasion. JOHN:28,29 gives us a wonderful hope of being able to see our loved ones again.
Bill Beistline
September 3, 2020
I had the privilege of having Mrs. Freese for the 4th and 6th grades at University Park, and then she followed me, or I followed her, to Main Junior High School, where she was my home room teacher. She was a wonderful teacher, with lots of patience, and a great dry sense of humor. She was a good teacher and influence to me and many others who were lucky enough to have been taught by her. She will be missed, and I wish to convey my sincere condolences to her family,
Tom Paragi
September 2, 2020
I met Gerry and Rhea through a mutual friend on the day I moved to Alaska in February 1985, when I was just shy of 21 years old. They let me stay in the guest room for a few days until I got squared away. It was a wonderful experience to hear their stories of Fairbanks in the 1950s. I shopped at Fred Meyers West until about 4 years ago and on occasion used to see Rhea there . We always had a nice chat, and she always had a smile and wonderful hearty laugh. My condolences to the family.
Myra Helmer
September 2, 2020
Rhea was a wonderful teacher. When I began teaching at UPark in the 60's, she was so helpful in guiding me through the school and sharing all the years of information/education about Fairbanks she had acquired.
We had lots of fun talking to her and Gerry about hunting pheasants in the Dakotas. She had a quick wit and a delightful smile. We had good walks at Creamers with her dogs. She will be missed.
Marie Angaiak
September 2, 2020
Seeing Rhea's photo in the newspaper, even though attached to her obituary, brought a smile to my face. What a kind, gentle woman who always had a smile for everyone. She helped to raise up many children in Fairbanks through her teaching at University Park and has definitely earned her wings. Rest in peace, Rhea.
Katie Shira
September 1, 2020
My favorite teacher! I was blessed to have Mrs. Freese for both fourth and sixth grades. And then, years later, I was able to do Intro to Elementary Education under her tutelage. She helped mold so many of us UPark Leprechauns toward the adults we turned into.
Throughout the years, whenever we ran into each other at Fred Meyer’s, we would stop and chat. She was always interested in how many years of teaching I had under my belt and when I was going to retire. I always joked that I wouldn’t be able to put in as many years as she.
My favorite memories of elementary school were of her reading quality children’s literature to us, forcefully letting us know in no uncertain terms that we WERE going out to recess all the way up to -20°, our end-of-year walk to AlaskaLand, and above all others, coming back from the workroom with freshly printed mimeograph worksheets (with the purple ink smudged across her face), mumbling under her breath about the stupid machine. Each time I complained about a copy machine malfunction, I thought of Mrs. Freese.
We, her students, were truly the lucky ones to have had her as our teacher. We were blessed that Gerry, Charlie, Rich and Sam shared her with us.
Heaven has gained a special angel.
JoAnne Mihm White
September 1, 2020
Rhea was a wonderful woman and teacher. I worked with her at University Park School. She always had a smile and a great laugh. Rhea touched many lives teaching and mine for knowing her.
Tammy Hambright
September 1, 2020
I’m sorry for your loss. Even though Mrs. Freese never taught me (she was my older sister’s teacher), she always recognized me, and asked about my sister when I would see her at the grocery store over the years. She was a very kind lady. I miss seeing her.
Tammy (Hendrix) Hambright
George T Roderick
September 1, 2020
Thoughts & prayers to the Freese Family. What a wonderful lady whom will be missed by many.
Kevin Jelinek
September 1, 2020
I lived next door to Rhea and Gerry in the 1990's. They were always so friendly. I'm so sorry for Rhea's passing.
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