Zella Jean Freehling
Age 86, of AuGres, Michigan, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on September 2, 2024. Zella was born in AuGres, Michigan, on August 17, 1938, to the late Walter and Zella (Whitman) Pendred. She spent her childhood in AuGres and was a proud graduate of AuGres-Sims High School, Class of 1956. In 1959, she married the love of her life, Roger Freehling, and the two spent 49 amazing years together. They raised a family of four boys, and Zella spent the majority of her time looking after the kids and taking care of things around the house.
Zella was a lifelong resident of AuGres, and loved being a part of the community for many years. She belonged to the Ladies Aide and the Sewing Club, and she made so many amazing memories and friendships through those organizations. Some of her favorite hobbies included embroidery, playing cards with her sisters, birdwatching, putting puzzles together, gardening, woodworking with Roger, spoiling her grandchildren, and most importantly spending quality time with her family. She was an amazing woman that was loved by many, and she will be missed dearly.
Zella is survived by her children, Dale Freehling, Gene (Kelly) Freehling, Tim (Penny) Freehling, John (Michaela) Freehling; sisters, Eileen Heinrich, Phyllis McGuire, Pauline Duby, and Alice Freehling; sisters-in-law, Noreen Pendred and Cloe Pendred; grandchildren, Andrew Freehling, Samantha (Michael Lucynski) Freehling, Sawyer (Katie) Freehling, Brianna (Alex) Freehling, Amelia (Alex) Freehling, Emily Freehling, and Isabella Freehling; great-grandchildren, Fenton Freehling, Carson Freehling, and Brady Lucynski; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Zella is preceded in death by her husband, Roger Freehling; son, Roger Freehling Jr.; brothers, Ross, Ted, Victor, and Richard; sisters, Elsie Maser, Carol Gotham, Sue Gotham; sisters-in-law, Ruth Pendred, Margaret Bilacic, Betty Freehling, and Mary Jo Freehling; and brothers-in-law, Ferdinand Heinrich, Clinton Maser, Neil McGuire, Chuck Duby, Fritz Freehling, Jack Gotham, Bernard Freehling, Harold Freehling, and Rudy Bilacic.
Visitation for Zella was on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Buresh Funeral Home in AuGres, Michigan. The funeral was on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the Buresh Funeral Home. Following the service, Zella was laid to rest next to her husband Roger in Sims-Whitney Cemetery. A luncheon was held at Edmonds Inn after the burial. You may leave an online condolence at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.
