EARLING - Mary Ann Freund, the daughter of Frank and Bertha (Rushenberg) Gross was born on a farm near Earling, Oct. 12, 1902. She died at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, March 4, 1988 at age 85 years, four months and 23 days. She was baptized, received her First Communion, and was confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earling, attended country school, and grew to adulthood on her parents farm.

April 23, 1929, she married Matthew Freund at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earling. Eight children were born to this union. After their marriage, they farmed near Earling. After the death of Mathew Nov. 17, 1964, she continued to reside on the farm until 1969, when she moved into Earling. In Nov. of 1985, she became a resident of Little Flower Haven in Earling, and this has been her home since that time. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earling, and C K and A.
.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Joe, William and Alvin Gross; two sisters, Francis Mumm and Ella Ahart; and three granddaughters. She is survived by three sons, James of Harlan; Dennis of Earling and Phillip of Dow City; five daughters, Eunice Masching of Carroll; Alice (Mrs Don) Miller of Defiance; Patricia (Mrs Chris) Blum Jr. of Portsmouth; Marilyn Schwarte of Manilla and Lois (Mrs Don) Sonntag of Atlantic; 38 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Matt Gross of Portsmouth; John and Ray Gross of Earling and Virgil Gross of Salina, KS; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A Mass of Christian Burial was concelebrated March 7, 1988, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Earling, with Rev. Greg Leach as the celebrant. Concelebrating priests were Rev. Garry Culver, Rev. Greg Leach, Rev. John F. Cain, Rev. Larry Beeson, and Rev. Lloyd White. Burial was in St. Joseph's cemetery with Dean Blum, Rick Freund, Glen Sonntag, Kenny Blum, Keith Miller and John Masching serving as casket bearers. Pauley Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Contributor: 83GravestonePhotographer (48653602) • [email protected]