Herman F Freymiller

MADISON - Herman F. Freymiller, 94, died peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Herman was born May 26, 1927, to Eugene and Emma Freymiller in Woodman, Wis.

Herman resided in Woodman on the family farm until he entered high school (the first in the family) when he would live with his grandparents in Boscobel. One week prior to his 17^th birthday he graduated high school, and with World War II in full swing, he participated in a battery of tests to be educated as a language interpreter or engineer for the U.S. Armed Forces.  Upon passing the tests and being accepted into the engineering program.  He reported to Milwaukee on May 21, 1944, for his physical and swearing in, only to be sent home because he was not yet 17.  One week later he returned and then on June 2, 1944, he was sworn into service with the U.S. Army.  He remained stateside until he was discharged in November of 1946.

In January of 1947, Herman enrolled at the University of Wisconsin - Madison in pursuit of a degree in education where he majored in chemistry and physics with a minor in biology.  He completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in May of 1949.  Upon graduation, he applied for teaching positions in Athens, Wis., and Eagle River, Wis., accepting an offer in Eagle River.  He joined the faculty of 10 and became the new geography and chemistry teacher as well as the new baseball coach and assistant basketball coach. Before he was able to settle into the baseball coach position, the program was eliminated and he was recruited for the assistant football coach position.

While teaching at the high school, he resided across the street from Joe and Ethel Stein, the aunt and uncle of his soon to be bride, Marilou. In 1954, he became well acquainted with Joe and Ethel through a local bowling league and on her visits home from beauty school in Milwaukee, Marilou would accompany Herman, Joe and Ethel bowling.  They had a whirlwind courtship and were married that October of that year.

Herman and Marilou remained in Eagle River and in 1956, started their family with the birth of Mitchell, only to be followed in 1958 by Kevin, in 1962 by Gretchen, in 1964 by Sara, and finally in 1967 by Jennifer.

In 1968, Herman embarked on a new leg of his journey.  Changing times at the high school prompted him to leave his teaching position of 19 years seek employment elsewhere.  Through friends and colleagues, he learned of a teaching position at Madison Area Technical College (MATC) where he applied and was hired.  He packed up the family and moved to Madison.  

Herman taught at MATC for three years and then was promoted to an administrative role in the General Studies department.  In June of 1989 he retired from MATC and was now able to spend his time with family and pursue his prize hobbies of travel and photography.  He was active in the community as a member of St. Dennis Parish and participated in weekly services by ushering and lectoring.  Herman also joined and became a life-long member of the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Madison.  He devoted a great deal of his time to the club and initiated the annual Kiwanis Club Golf Outing to raise funds for various charities.  Herman remained active in the club attending meetings as recently as this past November.

In 1980, Mitchell (Gina Adel) married, followed by Gretchen (Richard Tompson) in 1989, Sara (Kenneth Siedenburg) in 1996, Jennifer (Derrick Blair) in 2006, and Kevin (Irene Virnig) in 2011.  The union of Gretchen to Richard Tompson produced one grandson, Ian, and two granddaughters, Katherine and Rachel.  The union of Sara to Kenneth Siedenburg produced two additional granddaughters, Madeline and Rebecca.  

According to Herman, his greatest accomplishments were his marriage to Marilou, the births of his five children and subsequently, the births of his five grandchildren.  A quote from his dear friend sums it up as such…” He was a great man for all. A husband, a father, a teacher, a veteran and above all he loved his kids and those grand kids!!”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.  Family and friends who wish to view the Mass via LIVESTREAM may visit Herman’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Live Webcast Link at 1 p.m. on Monday. Burial will take place at Highland Memory Gardens. A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, and also at the church from 12 noon until the time of the Mass on Monday.

A celebration of Herman’s life will be held at TOKEN CREEK COUNTY PARK, Shelter No. 4, 6200 Williamsburg Way, DeForest, from 12 noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Downtown Madison Kiwanis Foundation. Please write on notation line: Herman Freymiller Scholarship Fund and mail to the Foundation Treasurer: Ken Koscik, 5507 Tonyawatha Trail, Monona, WI 53716-2924. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420