Don Claus Freberg, Prairie Village, KS, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2022 at age 84 from Alzheimer’s. His celebration of life will be held at Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, Kansas at 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 19, 2022. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made in Don’s honor to the Village Presbyterian Church Music Department or the Village Presbyterian Church Food Pantry.
Don was born in Oakland, NE, September 25, 1937 to Claus August Freberg and Elsie Minnie Graver Freberg. He was baptized at the Swaburg - Elim Lutheran Church near Uehling, NE. Lyons, Nebraska was his childhood home where he graduated from high school and attended the Memorial Methodist Church.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1959. Don was an active member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and UNL Men's Glee Club.
Don was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army through the UNL ROTC program and served 2 ½ years on the staff of the Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He received the Army Commendation Medal at the end of his post at Ft. Leavenworth. He was later honorably discharged as a Captain from the U.S. Army Reserve.
Following active military duty, Don began a 33-year career with Hallmark Cards. While in his first sales territory, Chicago, IL, he began working toward a MBA at Northwestern University. After transferring to Hallmark Cards world headquarters in Kansas City, Don completed his MBA at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He continued academic studies in accounting and earned his CPA certificate in 1981.
In 1967, Don met Beverley Johnette Tjart of Baxter Springs, KS and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Don said love was instantaneous and he “wooed” her back to Prairie Village from Minneapolis, MN, where she had started an advanced degree in nursing. They were married March 23, 1968. Don believed his greatest success was his unwavering devotion to his wife and family.
The Freberg’s became active members of Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. Don loved to sing in the church choirs. He served as a shepherd deacon, deacon, moderator of the deacons, elder, and trustee. As his two sons progressed through their school years, Don assisted their Boy Scout troop as Scoutmaster, committee chairman and a participant in their high adventure expeditions to the Philmont Scout Ranch and Canadian boundary waters.
Don enjoyed exploring and traveling. He loved taking his family to National Parks in the U.S. and Canada. The family particularly loved their regular vacations to The YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, CO. Don and Bev treasured frequent opportunities to tour and sing with the Village Presbyterian Church Choir throughout Europe. He also found great joy and satisfaction in the genealogical research of his Danish and Swedish family history. His love of the outdoors inspired his hobbies: snow skiing, mountain hiking, canoeing and exploring new areas. As a true son of Nebraska, Don was a faithful fan of University of Nebraska Cornhusker athletics. In the 1980s, on the rare occasion the Cornhuskers were not playing a football game on TV, he would sit in his car in the driveway or do chores in the front yard because the car radio had the best reception of KFAB in Omaha. Don loved celebrating “Go Big Red” and their accomplishments.
Don was a loyal, faithful friend who displayed a quick wit and a welcoming smile endearing him to those he met. He relished being a jokester, had an infectious laugh and signature mustache. Everyone described him as a true gentleman. Don was a fervent supporter of his family. Whether he was coaching his sons, leading in Boy Scouts, or just a fan, Don was active and present in their lives. His six lucky grandchildren loved their Papa Don and were blessed recipients of his intentional love and devotion. He was quick to jump at an opportunity to spend time with them, introduce them to new experiences and support their hobbies and extracurricular activities. Papa Don inspired his grandchildren to love singing and playing music. He was encouraging, compassionate, gentle, warm-hearted and joyful. Most of all Don was a loving husband, father, papa, and friend.
Don is survived by his wife of 54 years, Beverley, son Eric Claus, daughter-in-law Tarra LeAnn, and grandsons Dane Christian, Dylan Robert, Drew Claus and granddaughter Lauren Emily of Overland Park, KS and son Christian Emerson, daughter-in-law Beverly Christian, and granddaughters Hardin Beverly and Emerson Campbell of Dallas, TX. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Eldon Lloyd Freberg (Mary Frances) and Robert Dale Freberg (Mary Louise). He is survived by Eldon’s children, nieces Mary Ellen Hulstein (Randy), and Joan Marie Smith (Terry), and nephew Thomas Christian Freberg (Lora), of Omaha, NE, and niece Kathleen Ann Young (Mike) of Conway, AR.
Don’s family extends sincere gratitude and appreciation to the wonderful staff at Prairie Elder Day Stay, Prairie Elder Residential Care and Ascend Hospice in Overland Park, Kansas. Your tenderness and sensitivity will be forever cherished. Thank you for comforting and loving our family with your caring insights, knowledge and emotional support.
