Freese, Louis T.

Louis T. Freese, 82, of Monticello, died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, at home after a lengthy illness. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Kramer Funeral Home, where a parish Scripture service will be held at 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Officiating will be the Rev. Keith Birch.

Louis was born Sept. 24, 1927, in Center Junction, the son of John and Marie (Folkers) Freese. On July 30, 1950, he married Mary Jane Aitchison in Monticello. Louis served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1948 in Washington, D.C., intelligence department. When he returned from duty he started working with his brother, Alva, at Freese Motors. He remained a partner with Alva until 1970 when he bought Alva out. He sold the business to his son, Brad, in 1997. Louis loved to sing and play cards. He was a member of the Doubling Dozen Bridge Club for many years. He also enjoyed golfing and was an avid Hawkeye fan.

Louis served in different positions with the Iowa Auto Dealers Association and was on the board of directors for Homeland Bank. He was an original member of the Monticello Ambulance Board and a past president of Monticello Rotary and the Monticello Chamber of Commerce. He helped establish the first Heart Fund Drive in the area and worked with several charitable organizations.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane; four children, Aimee (Steve) Wilson of Cedar Rapids, Janet (Glen) Dallman of Bradenton, Fla., Brad (Dana) Freese of Monticello, Valerie (Terrance) Mennen of Birmingham, Ala.; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Alva Freese; five sisters, Bernice Edwards, Ella Schwartz, Annette Walton, Evalena Helgens, and Irene Biere.

Information available and condolences accepted at