Ardena Anna Freeman Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ardena Anna (Ratzlaff) Freeman, 80 of Longtown, Oklahoma passed away Saturday, January 7, 2017 at McAlester Regional Hospital. She was born April 3, 1936 in Medora, Kansas to Edward and Sarah (Andres) Ratzlaff . The family moved to Inman, Kansas where Ardena grew up and received her education and graduated from the 8th grade. She went to the Mennonite Church where she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior on May 21, 1967 and was baptized. She met Gene Autry Freeman in McPherson, Kansas while she was babysitting for his sister. They were married July 31, 1962. They moved to Barryton, Kansas where Gene was in the service. Their oldest son Gene Edward was born in 1963. From there they moved to Batesville, Arkansas where their middle son, Larry LaVerne was born in 1964. Next they moved to Okmulgee, Oklahoma where their youngest son, Donald Dean was born in 1966. Later on they moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma and she was a Home Room Mother at Jefferson School for her boys. She worked in the church nursey at the First United Methodist in Tulsa and also at the Nazarene Church Nursey in Sapulpa. She also did a lot of babysitting in private homes. Ardena was well liked in whatever she did. She enjoyed singing Gospel Music at Porum Landing and working in the kitchen on Saturday nights. She was a member of the Freedom Baptist Church at Porum Landing. She loved her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ardena is survived by her three sons, Gene Edward Freeman of Longtown, Oklahoma, Larry LaVerne Freeman of Helena, Oklahoma, Donald Dean Freeman and wife Lorrie Ann of Bryan, Texas; her three grandchildren, Ashley Nicole Maddox, Bethanie Anne Freeman, Lorrin Dawn Mikeska; her six great grandchildren, David Freeman, Valerie (Starr) Jean Andrews, Dorian Freeman, Olivia Freeman, Reid Mikeska, Khaleesi Maddox, and two on the way; a host of relatives and friends. Ardena is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Sarah Ratzlaff; her husband Gene Autry Freeman; her brother LaVerne Ratzlaff; her sister, Dolores Hites; her half- brother, Alvin Frease. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at R.E. Shearwood Memorial Chapel with Pastor Charles Woodridge. Pallbearers include Gabriel Ortega, Sean Rains, Ben Ober-Thorn, Brent Andrews, Rob Meeler, Ben Harryman. Burial will follow immediately to Fort Gibson National Cemetery under the direction of King & Shearwood Funeral Home of Stigler.

Ardena Anna Freeman

April 3, 1936 - January 8, 2017