Irene Minnie FREEMAN

Irene Minnie FREEMAN, nee Palmatier, 95, of Fox Hill, Ulysses, PA, passed away Friday, November 13, 2020 in UPMC Cole, Coudersport, PA.

Born September 21, 1925, at home on Ford Hill, Coudersport, she was the daughter of Harry C. and Sophia E. Mosch Palmatier.  She attended the country Judd school on Ford Hill for eight years without missing a day or being tardy—not bad for having to walk to school.  She graduated from Coudersport High School on June 3, 1943.  Working on the draft board, she met Almon G. Freeman.  On June 16, 1946, they married in All Saints Episcopal Church in Brookland.  He predeceased her on May 18, 2018.

A homemaker, she also worked on the potato harvester and at Consistory during the June reunions.  Irene and Almon owned and operated a farm, which was recognized as a Century farm.  Irene was a member of the Ulysses United Methodist Church, Grange, Keenagers, life member of Tri-Town Volunteer Fire Co. Auxiliary in Ulysses, and she served on the Ulysses Township Board of Election.  A 75-year member and past matron of Order of the Eastern Star #95 in Ulysses, she joined with her mother on March 2, 1945.  In 2012, Irene and Almon were honored as Ulysses Citizens of the Year.  Irene and Almon enjoyed boating, fishing, and camping at Cowanesque Lake and especially the Labor Day camping weekend with the whole crew at the farm campsite.  Irene always gave out notebooks and pencils for the upcoming school year.  She housed hunters for many years, as many as 20 at a time.  Irene and Almon enjoyed many farm trips and belonged to a card club, playing pinochle.  She loved to play any kind of card game with her children and grandchildren.  She was known for saying, “Are you sandbagging?”  An avid gardener, she raised vegetables and her favorite flower, gladiolus.  She enjoyed a brisk walk and would pick up litter on the way.  She even made an attempt on a pogo stick, which was aired on America’s Funniest Home Videos.  Irene’s favorite color was green, green, or green and her favorite song was You Are My Sunshine.  If someone called at her home, a homemade apple pie would always come out of the freezer to thaw and be enjoyed at the conclusion of visiting.  Irene was known for the best macaroni and cheese.  When asked for her secret ingredient, she would smile and say it was made with love.  Whatever Irene did, she put her whole heart into it.  She taught her children to make the most of a day from sunrise to sunset.

Surviving are:  six children, Theresa (Ronald “Ronnie”) Hall of North Bingham, John (Lorrene) Freeman of Ulysses, Karen (Mahlon, Jr. “Mick”) Cole of Mills, David (Robin) Freeman of Ulysses, Paul (Cheryl) Freeman of Ulysses, and Rita (Scott) Braymiller of Troy;  19 grandchildren;  24 great-grandchildren;  four great-great-grandchildren;  nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by four siblings, Harry C. Palmatier, Jr., Philip F. Palmatier, Eleanor Dingman, and Betty Ann Freeman;  and a son-in-law, Ray Hancock.

Friends may call Sunday, November 15, 2020 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA.  An Eastern Star service will be held 8:30 PM, Sunday in the funeral home.  CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines apply.  Funeral Services will be private.  Rev. Donald N. Miller will officiate.  Burial will be in Fox Hill Cemetery, Ulysses.

Memorials may be made to Tri-Town Volunteer Fire Co. Auxiliary, P.O. Box 156, Ulysses, PA 16948 or Fox Hill Cemetery, c/o Richard Erickson, 499 Erickson Road, Ulysses, PA 16948.

Helen Keller once said, “Death is no more than passing from one room into another.  But there’s a difference for me, you know.  Because in that other room I shall be able to see.”  --so shall you Mom.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.