Wilmer Freund
October 31, 2005
Freund, Wilmer, 81, professional engineer, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, Monday, October 31, 2005. Rosary, 4:00 P.M., Wednesday, Downing Lahey Mortuary West. Rosary, 7:00 P.M., Wednesday; service, 10:00 A.M., Thursday, both at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Preceded in death by parents, Chris and Louise (Horsch) Freund, and brothers, Arnold, Marvin, and Charles Freund. Survivors: wife, Mardella (Simon); son, Mark Freund; daughter and son-in-law, Eleisa and Ron Barber, all of Wichita, daughter, Deanna Freund of Mesa, AZ; sister, Eilene Raple of Andale; grandchildren, Chad, Chris, and Corey Freund, Andrew Falkowski, and Erica Barber; 2 great-grandchildren. At the time of Wilmers death, he was County Engineer of Harper County, Chairman of the Sedgwick County Conservation District, a member of the Wichita Professional Engineering Society, and the Catholic Diocesan Building Commission. Wilmer served in the United States Navy during World War II, and was a charter member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Memorials established with St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, 861 N. Socora, Wichita, KS 67212, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, 8101 W. Central, Wichita, KS 67212, and The Wilmer Freund Scholarship Fund, College of Engineering, c/o Wichita State University Foundation, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260.
Rosary, 4:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 2, Downing Lahey Mortuary West. Rosary, 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 2, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Dad, I still miss you so very much. Since I can’t get to the grave, I thought this might help. You are still the absolute best! I hope I’m doing you proud and that you aren’t getting too upset at the stupid things I do and say. I Love You, Anna
Wilmer was a true friend and mentor. He life can be measured in his dedication to his profession, his community, and his family. He will be missed by many, but never forgotten. Every time I hear ‘by God’ I will think of Wilmer.
I always enjoyed working with Wilmer on Kansas Society of Professional Engineer matters. He was very committed to his profession and approached everything with much passion and professionalism. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Dear Wilmer Freund Family, I was saddened to read of Wilmer’s passing this morning in the paper, but I couldn’t help but smile at some of my memories of Wilmer. I am one of Leo Wettas sons. My Dad thought very highly of Wilmer. I can remember driving down North Ridge Road, probably 30 years ago with Dad and hearing him remark, ‘Do you see how well this road has held up? You can sure tell Wilmer Freund was in charge of it. By God the taxpayers got their monies worth for once!’ There are too many stories to recount, but suffice it to say, Wilmer was a great man. We’ll keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely Dan and Lynette Wetta
Wilmer Freund served the people of Harper County for many years with the highest level of professional advice and skill. He took his position of Harper County Engineer very seriously. A few years ago he told me he stewed (worried) too much over various county matters. After that, I called him ‘Stew’. We had many good laughs about that and other matters. We often sought each other’s advice and counsel. ‘Stew’ always gave me sound advice. I greatly respected his knowledge, abilities and good, common sense. ‘Stew’ will be sorely missed by the people of Harper County, but more especially by those of us who had the good fortune to work with and be touched by this wonderful man.
Wilbur was a joy to work with in the engineering profession. I always looked forward to his wit and wisdom on any issue we were discussing. I will miss his unique personlity.
I appreciated the service Wilmer gave to the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers. He provided leadership to the membership and represented the Society at the local, state, and national level. Wilmer will be missed both professionally and personally.
Very sorry for your loss; I am a friend of Marks.