Mervin L. Freeman

September 4, 1929 – February 11, 2024

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Born on September 4, 1929, to Reuben and Helen (Lange) Freeman in Fergus Falls, MN, Mervin grew up on the family farm near Deer Creek, MN. He attended country school at District 101 and graduated from high school in Deer Creek. During his school years, he participated in track and football, earning honorable mention in state athletics.

Mervin farmed with his father until enlisting in the Army in 1952 during the Korean War. He served in the Army Security Agency in the Washington D.C. area. After his discharge, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1959 with a degree in Agricultural Education. He married Phyllis Ladwig in Barnesville, MN, in 1957.

Following graduation, Mervin worked as an Agricultural County Agent in Douglas County at Alexandria, MN. Their son, David, was born in 1962, and Mervin later returned to the University of Minnesota for graduate studies, obtaining a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics. Their daughter, Jill, was born in 1964.

Mervin then accepted a position with the Agricultural Extension Service at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. His role involved traveling across the state and working with the native Alaskan population. He collaborated with reindeer herd owners in Nome and beef farmers on Kodiak Island to develop marketing skills. While in Alaska, Mervin enjoyed hunting moose and caribou, and Alaskan salmon caught by the Freemans was a staple in their household. One of his treasured possessions was a mounted doll sheep he hunted in the Alaskan Brooks Range.

In 1967, Mervin took a position as a Farm Management Specialist with the University of Minnesota Extension Service in Rochester, MN. Their son, Scott, was born in 1968. The family lived in the Rochester area for 20 years, where they were active in the United Church of Christ, with Mervin serving as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and PTA president.

Mervin was also a member of the Minnesota Association of County Agricultural Agents and served as its treasurer. In 1989, he traveled to New Orleans to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agents. He also received the University of Minnesota Dean and Directors Award for Distinguished Extension Faculty and was promoted to full professor. Throughout his career, Mervin remained committed to his agricultural roots and contributed to many educational programs for farm families.

He retired in 1992 and remodeled their lake home on Dead Lake in Ottertail County, where they moved to land homesteaded by Grandpa Freeman in the late 1800s. In retirement, Mervin was active in his church as an elder at Maine Presbyterian, served as president of the Dead Lake Association, and as president of the Ottertail Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA). He spent many years collecting water quality samples for the lake and was dedicated to the preservation and improvement of water quality in lakes and rivers.

During retirement, the Freemans spent winters in Mesa, Arizona, where they hiked the trails of the Superstition Mountains and Mervin hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon twice. In Arizona, Mervin was active in John Calvin Presbyterian Church and often served as an usher.

Mervin continued to hunt deer into his later years, enjoyed fishing trips to Canada, and liked playing cards and games. His favorite pastime was sitting on his deck at the lake, often saying, “I can look at the lake and be on the lake, but not necessarily in the lake!” His children—David (and Margie), Jill, and Scott—were his joy, and he took great pride in their accomplishments. His grandchildren, David II, Jordan Freeman, Courtney Neu, and Lexi Owens, represented his hope for the future. Having reached his 90s, Mervin felt that the Lord had indeed been good.

Mervin peacefully passed away in Mesa, Arizona, on February 11, 2024, surrounded by family.