FREISTADT: David Joseph
February 23, 1939 – June 23, 2016
The death of David Joseph Freistadt of Humboldt SK occurred at Humboldt District Hospital, Humboldt, SK on Thursday, June 23, 2016. He was 77 years of age. David was born on Thursday, February 23, 1939, to Gottleib and Frances (nee Heibert) Freistadt at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Humboldt, SK. He was born into a family of six, three girls and three boys. They lived on a farm near Carmel. When David was two his mother passed away in childbirth and he lost his sister Eleanor when she was 23 years of age. David attended Carmel School and later Humboldt Collegiate. During high school he got involved in curling, a sport that became the “love of his life”. The summer after Grade 11 he worked for Sask Power. They offered him a full time job and he started an almost 38 year career with them. When Sask Power split into two divisions, David worked in the gas division. He worked in a number of towns such as Wakaw, Gull Lake, and many years in Unity. He married Olivine Ring in 1959. In 1960 their daughter Shannon was born and in 1964 they were blessed with a son, Dean. In 1967, the family moved to Lanigan where David spent the majority of his career. He became very involved in the community, where he curled and helped make ice, coached baseball and hockey, was a volunteer firefighter and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. In 1988 David transferred to Humboldt. Sadly, in 1990, Olivine passed away after a battle with cancer. In 1993, David married an earlier high school friend, Audrey Cash, with whom he spent the last 24 years. They happily spent those years curling, golfing, enjoying cabin life (fishing), travelling to many exotic destinations and enjoyed many golf and curling trips as well as being members of the home clubs. David will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 24 years, Audrey (nee Cash) Freistadt; his son Dean Freistadt (step-daughter Lindsay McKay); his daughter Shannon Worobec and her family, Jenna Worobec and Logan (Katie) Worobec and their daughter Maddilynne; sisters: Evelyn Zerff, and Julianna Froess; brother Phillip; brother-and sister-in-law, Gordon and Darlene Cash; stepsons: Raymond Gardiner (Carol), Brad Gardiner (Sue), Scott (Shelli) Gardiner and daughter Breann, and Robert (Darlene) Gardiner; step-grandson Chase Gardiner; and by numerous nieces and nephews. David was predeceased by his parents, Gottlieb and Frances (nee Hiebert) Freistadt; his first wife Olivine Freistadt; his sister Eleanor; his brothers: Arne (Bernice) Freistadt, and Eugene (Mary) Freistadt; his brother-in-laws: Leo Froess, and Peter Zerff; his sister-in-laws: Marian Price, Elaine (Bill) Melko; and by stepsons: Jonathan Gardiner and Tim Gardiner. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church on Monday, June 27, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., celebrated by Fr. Ephriam Mensah. Others taking part were: Logan Worobec, crossbearer; Donna Germaine and Murray Freistadt, scripture readers; Trudy Freistadt, intentions; Shannon Worobec and Jenna Worobec, giftbearers; Darlene Cash and Liz Trach, communion ministers; Shirley Schewaga and Audrey Schemenauer, memorial table attendants. Music ministry was provided by Denise Germaine, organist, Maxine Moore, soloist, and the St. Augustine Parish Funeral Choir. An honor guard was formed by members of the Knights of Columbus and also Ralph Frank, Joe Schewaga, and Don Schemenauer, all members of David’s curling team. Honorary pallbearers were “all David’s nieces and nephews and all those who shared in his life”. The urnbearer was Dean Freistadt. Interment followed at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Humboldt District Hospital Palliative Care Unit or to the Alzheimer Society. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.