FREISTADT: Raymond Peter
April 30, 1930 – April 24, 2015
Mr. Raymond “Ray” Peter Freistadt of Saskatoon, SK, (and formerly of Humboldt, SK), passed away at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, on Friday, April 24, 2015. He was 84 years of age. Ray was born on April 30, 1930, to Nick and Elizabeth (nee Schikowsky) Freistadt at Humboldt. He was raised at Carmel and attended Carmel School, where he attained his elementary education. As well, while in school there, he took Grades 9 and 10 by correspondence. Ray then attended St. Peter’s College at Muenster for Grades 11 and 12. After graduating, he worked for his Dad in their Red & White Grocery Store for about a year, then accepted a position in the Carmel Post Office. In January 1950, Ray was given an opportunity to work in the Humboldt Post Office. In 1954, he married Donna Billesberger. Four children, three sons and a daughter, were born to them. In 1966, Ray was promoted to Postmaster at Bruno. The family resided in Bruno until 1971 when Ray was offered the position of Postmaster at Wilkie. After spending eight years there, the Freistadts returned to Humboldt, where Ray was Zone supervisor until 1982. At that time he became Postmaster, a position he maintained until his retirement in 1985. Because of Ray’s declining health due to Parkinson Disease, on October 25, 2013, he and Donna moved to Saskatoon. A final move was made by Ray to Samaritan Place in December 2014. In their retirement years together, Ray and Donna enjoyed travelling, camping, fishing, golfing, curling, and doing volunteer work. A highlight of their life was the celebration of their 60th Wedding Anniversary in August 2014. Ray will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Donna (nee Billesberger) Freistadt of Saskatoon; four children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson: Timothy Freistadt of Saskatoon; Darby (Lorrayne) Freistadt of Rosetown and family, Richard (Dana) Freistadt and their son Robert, and Sean Freistadt; Cyndi (Jeff) Cunanan of Saskatoon and family, Kristin Cunanan and Terrence Cunanan; and Kurt (Diana) Freistadt of Summerland, BC; and family, Emma-Lee Freistadt and Ethan Freistadt; one sister and two brothers: Darlene Eastman of Humboldt, Jim (Doris) Freistadt of Tisdale, and Bert Freistadt of Regina; in-laws: Betty Resener of Kelowna, BC, Sr. Yvonne Billesberger, OSU, of Saskatoon, Jerry (Kathy) Billesberger of Sherwood Park, AB, Dan (Kathy) Billesberger of Calgary, AB, and Cliff (Joy) Roles of Spalding; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Nick and Elizabeth (nee Schikowsky) Freistadt; two sisters: Patsy Kocourek and Shirley Roles; and by in-laws: Roger Eastman, Blanche Freistadt, Ron Resener, and Bert (Jeanne) Billesberger. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Friday, May 1, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Ephraim Mensah. Others taking part were: Sean Freistadt, crossbearer; Richard Freistadt, urnbearer; Darby Freistadt and Bert Freistadt, scripture readers; Thelma Gasmo, intentions; Darlene Eastman and Jim Freistadt, giftbearers; Nestor and Liz Trach, Eucharistic ministers; Mary Schlosser and Marina Sand, memorial table attendants; and Darby Freistadt, eulogist. Music ministry was provided by director Loretta Schugmann, organist Denise Germain, and the St. Augustine Parish Funeral Choir. An honor guard was formed by members of the Knights of Columbus. Honorary pallbearers were Kristin and Terrence Cunanan, and Emma and Ethan Freistadt. Interment followed at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation, Samaritan Place, Saskatoon, or the Parkinson Society. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.