Christine Ellen Freeman

Christine Ellen (Lewis) Freeman, 93, of Ames, died peacefully and surrounded by family on March 19, 2023, at Green Hills Retirement Community. Christine was born on March 4, 1930 in Spring Creek, West Virginia to Jesse Baker and Celia (Hanna) Lewis. When Christine was a young teenager, her family moved to Lewisburg, West Vir...[more]

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ia, where she attended school. In high school, Christine met her sweetheart, Albert Eugene "Gene" Freeman, who she married on December 23, 1950 in Lewisburg. Their early married life was in Morgantown, West Virginia and Ithaca, New York, where Gene earned his undergraduate and advanced degrees. In 1957, they moved to Ames, Iowa, and made it their home. Christine was a devoted wife and mother to their three daughters. Christine supported Gene in all of his professional endeavors, including traveling with him and opening her home to entertain his colleagues and graduate students. As a devoted mother she spent countless hours reading to her daughters, carpooling them to piano and dance lessons, and supporting all of their activities. She also encouraged her daughters to be strong, independent thinkers and to believe they could do anything they set their minds to. We will miss her forever. Christine had a natural curiosity and enjoyed traveling. Together, Christine and Gene traveled all over the United States and Europe and the family spent a summer living in the Netherlands. She enjoyed documenting and reminiscing about her travels. Christine was a member of Collegiate Presbyterian Church and was involved with many organizations - including Iowa State Faculty Women's Club, Heritage Division, Questers and PEO. Her hobbies included needle work, reading, and playing bridge with both her ladies and couples bridge clubs. Christine was an avid genealogist and spent many hours in courthouses and cemeteries piecing together clues to create an extensive family history. Christine is survived by her daughters Patricia (Russell) Works of Lexington, Kentucky; Lynn (Paul) Hempe of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and Ann (Todd) Irvine of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren; and her sister, Geraldine Arbuckle of Lewisburg, West Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents. A joint Celebration of Life for Christine and Gene Freeman will be held on Sunday May 28, 2023 at Green Hills Retirement Community at 2:30 p.m. 2200 Hamilton Dr, Ames, IA 50014. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Youth and Shelter Services of Ames or the Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com