Obituary of Art Freiheit
Arthur Clarence Freiheit was born November 14, 1932 in Yorkton, SK. The youngest son of Amalia (Essenburg) and Gustave Freiheit. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a devoted member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
He received his education at Burke School in Yorkton where he also learned how to play hockey on the outdoor rink. He also was noticed for his artistic talent.
Art, or Buck, as he was known to his friends, married Marjorie Els on September 28, 1957, and they were blessed with two daughters and later two grandsons. He delighted in his daughters’ activities whether it was getting them to early morning figure skating practices or synchronized swimming lessons, dance lessons, and band concerts. He could always be counted on to be present and supportive. He made sure that wonderful summers were available for his family and passed a lifelong love of Duck Mountain Provincial Park to his grandsons. He will be fondly remembered for the ice cream runs and the wonderful times around the campfire.
Art was employed as a warehouse workman at Macdonald’s Consolidated Foods for 39 years until its closure, nearly hitting his 40 year milestone. He had a remarkable record of only two sick days.
Art enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing at their cabin at Madge Lake. Always humble, he shot an amazing hole-in-one TWICE at the Madge Lake Golf course. But Art’s true passion was gardening. He spent many hours caring for his vegetables and fruit trees. He was known for his amazingly huge tomatoes and won prizes for large pumpkins in local contests. His generosity was shown in keeping friends and relatives well supplied with the produce from his large Gladstone Ave. garden. Other passions were spending time in his workshop inventing unique useful items even if we were not quite sure what they were intended for. He also was a diehard Yorkton Terriers fan and remained a season ticket holder until his move to St. Paul’s Lutheran Nursing Home in Melville.
In the past several years failing health brought him to Melville, SK, where he added another hockey team to cheer for. He and Marj were able to be together until her passing two ago. Always friendly and approachable, he made many friends at Bethany Way. Residents and staff alike fondly referred to him as King Arthur. He had his coffee crew and held court daily.
He always had a story or some advice or experience to share and in that way he touched everyone who met him. His dimpled smile, wry sense of humor and wit were second to none. He will be missed.
Predeceased by his wife Marjorie on March 7, 2022; a sister Margaret Freiheit; brothers Oscar, Eric and Herbert, and by his sister Dorothy Murray. Art leaves to cherish his memory his two daughters: Kim Freiheit (Dean Printz) of Melville; Lori-Lyn Kozushka (Gord) of Regina; grandsons Andrew Goodson (Teisha Huff) of Prince Albert; and Matthew Goodson of Yorkton.
Art’s family would like to thank everyone who helped along the way on his journey home. Special thank yous to the wonderful and caring staff at Yorkton Home Care Services and later Bethany Way at St. Paul’s Lutheran Home. You became his family too. Also, thank you to Melville Palliative Care, and Spiritual Services who also provided support in the last difficult days. Thank you for the special support and care from the staff at Bailey’s Funeral Services.
