2
trees
planted in memory of Ronald Clyde Freund
Obituary for Ronald Clyde Freund
Ronald Clyde Freund was born to Clyde and Rita Freund on May 8,1943 in Billings, Montana. He passed away on October 12, 2022, at his beloved home on the Boulder River surrounded by his loving wife Mary and family.
Following in his mother’s footsteps, he attended Kate Fratt Memorial Parochial School and Billings Central Catholic High School, and later nursing school at Saint Vincent Hospital. Ron served as an altar boy and spoke Latin with the best of them. He became a nurse like his mother, and inherited her kind demeanor, huge heart, and a quiet mischievousness reflected by a twinkle in his eye and his silly grin! He enjoyed singing and was a member of the Carroll College Carolers and Billings Symphony Chorale when younger. After attending Carroll College, he followed in his father’s footsteps working at the refinery in Laurel, Montana, to put himself through nursing school. His education culminated in his attending anesthesia school at the esteemed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Ron practiced as a nurse anesthetist for over 40 years and was widely respected in his field. He championed for the rights of advanced practice nurses in Montana. In addition to practicing in Billings and Butte, he practiced rural medicine. For many years, he arose early in the morning to travel to small communities to provide their anesthesia care. He was known for his skill in providing anesthesia for children, taking them to surgery in a wagon to allay their fears. He was never without M & Ms to share with the surgery crew, storing them in silly surgical containers.
His parents took him and his 6 siblings to the Boulder at an early age, instilling in him a love of the Boulder River and Absaroka Mountains that he passed down to his children and later his grandson. Ron was an avid fisherman and hunter, sharing his love of these with Mary, his children, and grandson Finn. Ron and his son Peter spent many happy hours chasing deer, elk, and bears around the mountains, even if it was 40 below with icicles in his beard and grizzlies in their camp! He was beautiful to watch fly fishing. He did not like limits placed on his take and was not above tucking a fish or ten into his well-worn waders (the boot limit!). Ron helped his children and grandson catch their first trout on the banks of the Boulder. He followed Finn’s skiing and baseball endeavors as his greatest fan!
Ron married Mary Kathryn Inman in June 1994, and they had many years of love, adventures, and wonderful times spent with their numerous treasured friends, Mary’s family (especially Mary’s father Bob) and his cousins who were like siblings.
In additional to building their home Ron and Mary were amazing woodworkers. They built pine furniture and sold pieces under the name Whispering Pine Wood Products. He built the cradle his grandson used as an infant, and later his toybox used to hold treasured toys. Ron shared his talents with Clydehurst Christian Ranch, volunteering there with Mary for many years. In one summer, he built 40 benches for them.
Ron was preceded in death by his father Clyde, mother Rita, and infant son Doug. He is survived by his beloved wife Mary, daughter Kelli and husband Michael, son Peter, grandson Finn, his sisters Susan, Sharon, Barbara, Judy and Jayne, and his treasured younger brother Richard.
We would like to thank Dr. Michael Kidd, Dr. Zachary Bland, Livingston HealthCare Infusion Center, and the many others that provided him with wonderful care and gave us many more years with him for which we are eternally grateful. We would also like to thank the Pioneer Medical Center and Hearts and Hands Hospice who helped us bring Ron home to his beloved Boulder.
We love you, our beloved husband, dad, and brother. The Boulder will never be the same without you, but we know you will always be here with us…in the mountains, river, and stars. We love you for always, and forever.
A memorial service for Ron will be held Saturday, Oct 29 at 11:00 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, 910 McLeod Street, Big Timber, MT. Rite of Committal will be held later.
Donations in Ron’s name may be made to Clydehurst Christian Ranch, 328 S. Shiloh Road, Suite 1, Billings, MT 59106; St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, P.O. Box 871, Big Timber, MT 59011; Hearts and Hands Hospice, P.O. Box 1228, Big Timber, MT 59011, or the organization/charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the care of Stenberg Funeral Home. Please share your memories of Ron at www.stenbergfuneralhome.com
To plant a tree in memory of Ronald Clyde Freund, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Memorial Service
Saturday
29
Oct
11:00 AM
- 12:30 PM
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
910 McLeod Street
Big Timber, MT 59011
Memorial Contribution
St. Joseph Catholic Church
PO Box 871
Big Timber, MT 59011
Big Timber, MT 59011
Clydehurst Christian Ranch
328 S. Shiloh Road, Suite 1, Billings, MT 59106
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