David Ralph Freeman was born October 5, 1943 at his parents home, Ralph and Mary (Keckler) Freeman in Springfield, SD. He died October 14, 2015 at Burke Community Hospital in Burke, SD at the age of 72 years.Memorial services were held Oct. 19 at the United Methodist Church of Burke with burial in the Herrick Cemetery.
His family later moved to a farm and lived with his Uncle Luther Freeman near Carlock, SD. Dave then attended grade school at the Sioux Valley Country School-District #35 in Carlock, SD and attended high school through the 9th grade at Gregory High School and during this time he worked for several farmers in the Paxton, SD area.
In 1964 he enlisted in the US Army as a heavy equipment mechanic and sharp shooter. His last tour of service was spent in South Korea and was discharged in 1966.
In 1967 he was working on the Herman Ranch in Draper, SD when he met the love of his life, Myrna (Miller) Labahn and they were married on April 6th, 1968. He became the father of her two sons, Dennis and Duane (aka-Weiner) and they made their home in Draper, SD where he then worked for Max Horsley. Later they moved to the Burke area and was employed by the Gregory Country Highway department and acquired the nickname Davey, until his retirement in November of 2007. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #220 in Herrick, SD, a Fireman for the Burke Volunteer Fire Department, and devoted many hours helping build the Burke Stampede Rodeo grounds utilizing his welding skills. After retirement Dave began the second (maybe first) love of his life of driving an 18 Wheeler until his health started failing.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Donald Freeman, Dorthy McCarthy and Delbert Freeman and Brother-In-Law Keith Silling as well as several other relatives and friends.
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