Reta Mae (Harlan) Freeman was born in the old hospital in Bassett, Nebraska during a blizzard in the early morning on February 21st, 1955. Her parents were Elmer and Mildred “Irene” (Sandall) Harlan. At that time her parents were living on the Leahy Ranch which was 30 miles Southeast of Bassett. There had been a lot of snow and the forecast didn’t sound very good so her father brought her mother to Bassett to his brother Levi and Eula Harlan’s home just to be on the safe side; then he went back home as he had cows to milk and cattle to feed. That evening the weather was looking bad so Levi took her mother to the hospital. Good thing he did as Reta was born that night. It was a day or two before her father got her and her mother back home to her older brothers Allen and Warren. Reta started elementary school in the old Hammond School. In the spring of 1965 her family moved to the Wayne Peterson place on the west side of Pony Lake and she finished elementary school at the Pony Lake School. Reta graduated from Rock County High School in 1973. Sometime later her and her friend Peggy Davis went to Norfolk, Nebraska and worked for Dale’s Electronics for a time. Then she moved back to Bassett and worked for the Cornhusker Archery Company. Helping manufacture the world’s best bow strings.
In 1978 she gave birth to her daughter Tina. Then in 1979 she married Dennis Freeman of Taylor, Nebraska. Her and Dennis then moved to Ord, Nebraska. where she was a stay at home mom and later started an in-home daycare. In 1982 she then gave birth to their son Travis. She decided to work outside the home after both children had started school. She worked at a diner for several years before starting laundry at the Valley County Hospital and later working in the dietary department for the next 13 years until she fell ill.
Reta found out in September she had pancreatic cancer and had decided to come home on hospice and remained at home until she passed, peacefully at home with her family on October 6, 2019.
She enjoyed going to concerts, opening her home to friends and family, the sounds of her water fountains and always finding new places to eat.
She is proceeded in death by her parents Elmer and Mildred “Irene” (Sandall) Harlan, her in laws Virgil and Pearl (Smith) Freeman and a brother in law Jerry Freeman.
Survivors include: Her husband Dennis Freeman of Ord, Nebraska, a daughter Tina Simpson and husband Shawn of Taylor, Nebraska, a son Travis Freeman of Clarkson, Nebraska and two grandsons, Shad and J.D. Simpson. Two brothers, Allen Harlan and wife Rose, and Warren Harlan and wife Cheryl both of Bassett, Nebraska. Brother-in-law Rolland Freeman and wife Marlene of Burwell, Nebraska. Sister-in-law Nancy Freeman of Eustis, Nebraska along with several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 14, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Burwell, Nebraska. Burial will be in Cottonwood Cemetery. Pastor Alan Petersen will officiate. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 – 7 p.m. at Hitchcock Funeral Home in Burwell. Memorials are suggested to the family.
