Keith Wesley Freeland

Keith Wesley Freeland, 79, passed to heaven on April 25, 2016, while a dear friend sat at his bedside reading the 23rd Psalm. He was at peace, unafraid, knowing he would soon be with his Savior. Keith was born in Janesville, WI, the son of Peter and Ruby Freeland. He grew up in Cummings, ND, and graduated from the little two room schoolhouse with a love of science and math. Keith continued his education at Northwestern Bible College, NDSU, and the Wahpeton School of Science. His love of the land led him to farming in the Mayville, ND, area until his retirement. A respected leader, Keith served on the Mayville School Board and the American Crystal Sugar Beet Grower’s Board. On June 5, 1960, Keith married Ione Hogness, his loving wife of 47 years. Together, they raised six children on the farm and taught them the love of God, the love of family, and the strong values that still guide them today. In 2005, Keith and Ione moved to West Fargo, and lived there until her death in 2007. On April 25, 2009, Keith married Pamela Schaefer and gained another son. They made their home in West Fargo and lived in Florida during the winter months. Keith had a particular passion for youth and helping them to know Christ. He worked with Awana at Riverside Evangelical Free Church in Mayville for many years and still hears from those children, now adults, who were influenced by his teaching. Keith had a vision for and helped start Prime Time, a cooperative effort that has brought thousands of children over the past 35 years from five school districts in ND to be inspired by a Christian program that presents positive moral options, lifestyles, and value systems. He was active in and served on the Child Evangelism Board, the Red River Youth for Christ Board, and held several positions in his local church. He was still active as an Ambassador for the Jesus Film Project. Keith is survived by his wife of seven years, Pamela; two daughters, Debra (Wayne) Sturman of Briar Cliff Manor, NY and Denise (Ken) Grinde, of Portland, ND; four sons, Bradley of Lakeville, MN, Brent (Bonnie) of Mayville, ND, Bruce (Carrie) of Blaine, MN, Bryan (Rynell) of Perham, MN, and step-son Eric (Jessica) from Scotia, NY; 18 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; three brothers, Larry in Colorado, Glenn in Minnesota, and Herb in Florida; one half-sister, Phebe in North Dakota, two half brothers, Peter in Minnesota, and Mike in California. Keith is preceded in death by his wife, Ione, his parents, Peter and Ruby, his step-mother, Agnes, and his little sister, Barbara. Keith requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Awana at Riverside Evangelical Free Church, Child Evangelism Fellowship (Fargo), or World Vision. Visitation: Will be from 5–7 PM with a 7 PM Public Prayer Service on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at the Riverside Evangelical Free Church and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Monday, May 2, 2016 at the Riverside Evangelical Free Church in Mayville, ND. Burial: Will be at the Mayville Cemetery in Mayville, ND. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.bakerfuneral.com (Baker Funeral Home, Mayville, ND)