Herman Freese

Herman Freese, 85, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 14, 2026. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Faith Baptist Church with burial in the Hampton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday at the Faith Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home in Hampton. 

He was born on December 27, 1940, to Herman Sr. and Christina (Eilderts) Freese. While his family grieves his passing, they find great comfort in knowing that Herman is now walking with Jesus in heaven, where his faith has become sight.

Herman married the love of his life, Margery Marie Maifeld, on April 8, 1960. Their love story began as children attending Sunday School together at Washington Reformed Church in Ackley, Iowa. Together they built a beautiful life centered on faith, family, and love, sharing more than 66 years of marriage.

He is lovingly survived by his wife, Margery; his four children: Lynn (Cathie) Freese of Rockford, Illinois; Bryan (Tammi) Freese of Janesville, Iowa; Patricia (Gary) Palmersheim of Rochester, Minnesota; and Jacquelyn (Joe) O’Brien of Hampton, Iowa.

Herman was a proud grandfather to Brandi (Jason) Schnurr, Chrissy Tempin, Hillary (Jimmie) Hunter, Zach Freese, Kalie (Austin) Niederhauser, Dustin (Maria) Palmersheim, Jaime (Gus) Holtz, Colby (Ashley) Palmersheim, Michala (Sam) Palmersheim, Leigha (Tadd) Jones, Jordan (Michelle) O’Brien, and Kyle (Megan) O’Brien. He was also blessed with 22 great-grandchildren, who brought him tremendous joy.

He is also survived by his sister, Julie Freese (Vern) Kreimeyer; sister-in-law, Alida Freese; brother-in-law, Ron (Judy) Maifeld; sister-in-law, Jan (Pat) O’Donnell; and sister-in-law, Arlene Maifeld.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman Sr. and Christina Freese; his brother, Harm Freese; and his sister, Johanna Freese.

Herman began his career with Chamberlain Trailers before working for Moorman’s Feed and Standard Chemical. In 1968, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to start his own backhoe business. He later founded Freese Feed and Milling in 1975 and expanded the business by establishing Freese Trucking, LLC in 1991. Through hard work, determination, and vision, he built businesses that reflected his integrity and strong work ethic. Herman loved what he did and continued working until retiring in 2021 at the age of 80.

Herman had a generous heart and was always ready to help someone in need. He was also a little stubborn and liked doing things himself—a trait those who knew and loved him understood well.

Above all, Herman was a man of deep Christian faith. Jesus Christ was the center of his life, and he lived each day with quiet confidence in God’s promises. His greatest hope was that his family and others would know the same love, grace, and assurance of eternal life that sustained him throughout his life.

Family meant everything to Herman. He was a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather and great-grandfather, faithful brother, and trusted friend. He led by example, teaching the importance of honesty, hard work, humility, generosity, and trusting God through every season of life. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the businesses he built, the lives he touched, and the faith he faithfully lived.

Though our hearts are broken, we rejoice knowing Herman has been welcomed into his eternal home and has heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”