Barbara Freet

BARBARA FREET

Solon

Barbara Ann Johnson Freet, of Solon, formerly of Jesup, passed on Dec. 29, 2016.

Barb was born April 20, 1940, at Decorah Hospital, Decorah, to Truman William and Alice Viola Peterson Johnson. She attended Waterloo schools and graduated from Waterloo East High in 1958. She attended Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant. After being introduced by mutual friends, Barb married the love of her life, Richard "Dick" Freet, on Dec. 1, 1972, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Evansdale. He preceded her in death on Dec. 24, 2006.

Throughout her life, Barb held different jobs and owned several businesses. She was the owner, editor and publisher of the Evansdale Enterprise and traffic director at KXEL Radio.

Perhaps she has been most well known for her 22 years of service as Black Hawk County treasurer, first elected in 1988. Formerly a planner and grant writer for the Iowa Northland Regional County of Governments, and former Evansdale community development director, Barb prevailed to become the first woman ever elected to serve as Black Hawk County's treasurer.

During her tenure as treasurer, Barb won an Innovation Award from the Iowa State Association of Counties in 2000 for the development of the Crossroads Center Treasurer's Satellite Office, which she opened in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Transportation. She also worked to develop a centralized purchasing system for Black Hawk County as a cost saving measure.

Further, she was very active in the Iowa State Association of County Treasurers, serving as president of the District Six Treasurers. She also was part of the team that developed a statewide property tax and vehicle licensing website.

Barb and Dick also were farmers and took pride in raising their beloved Texas longhorn cattle. The couple became active in the Texas longhorn community and Barb was appointed to the board of directors of the International Texas Longhorn Association. She and Dick were founding members of the Midwest Longhorn Association.

Those who knew Barb also knew she was passionate about genealogy. She was proud of her heritage and she honored her Norwegian heritage through her memberships in Sons of Norway, Vesterheim, Norwegian American Historical Association and Norwegian American Genealogical Library and Nasseth Library.

In addition to her beloved husband, Barb was preceded in death by her parents; mother- and father-in- law, Dorothy and Albert (Sam) Freet; and three brothers-in-law, Stan Card, James (Jim) Freet and John Freet.

Leaving to mourn her passing are her children, Susan and Al Hughes of Marion, Blair and Pam Freet of Tipton, Jodi Freet of Solon and Eric and Sarah Freet of Richardson, Texas. She also is survived by her adored granddaughter, Wilhelmina Freet. Other survivors include her sister, Carmen Card of Cedar Rapids; in-laws, Donald and Linda Freet of Gilbertville and Lorraine Freet of Cedar Falls; aunt, Grace Peterson of Clear Lake; many nieces, nephews and cousins, including special cousin, Alice (Duane) Ruffridge, Decorah. Barb also leaves her beloved dog, Emmie; granddog, Nellie; and cats, Lucky, George, Liberty and Sam.

Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, at Kearns Funeral Service-Kimball Chapel, Waterloo. Visitation: 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at Kimball Chapel as well as one hour before services on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Norwegian American Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library, 415 W. Main St., Madison, WI 53703, or to the family for distribution to causes close to Barb's heart.