The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

Olga Marie Loken Freed, 99, died peacefully at home on Sunday, September 17, 2017 after a long and productive life. She was born on December 18, 1917 on a sheep ranch in Southeastern Montana-Carter County; seven years after her father had immigrated to America from Norway.

She graduated from Carter County High School in Ekalaka, MT in 1935. She then attended and graduated from Holy Rosary nursing school in Miles City, MT receiving a Registered Nurse degree in 1938. She was the third airline stewardess hired by Northwest Airlines in 1939. As a stewardess she flew cross country, primarily in DC 3 prop planes, when commercial aviation was in its infancy. She then served in the United States army during World War II as a nurse, where she was stationed in Fort Carson, CO, Fort Meade, MD, and then for 27 months on the island of New Caledonia in the South Pacific where she was on staff of the 29th General Hospital. She was discharged as a Captain in December 1945.

On April 5, 1946 she married Charles G. Freed, a Denver area neurosurgeon whom she had met on a blind date while living in Minneapolis, MN. At the time she was a stewardess and he was stationed at Fort Snelling after having been inducted into the United States Army shortly after the outbreak of World War II.

After her marriage, she settled down and lived in Denver for 71 years raising her five children. She enjoyed many hobbies and had many interests whether it was making candles, ceramics, or decorating her home. She was an accomplished and beautiful seamstress, an excellent cook, and an avid reader. She also enjoyed organic gardening, both vegetables and flowers. She loved to entertain in her home and did so often and well. She was active in P.E.O., the Denver Medical Auxiliary Society in her younger years, attended Augustana Lutheran Church and frequently accompanied her husband to medical meetings throughout the country. She also enjoyed the many trips she took with her family while her children were growing up.

She was preceded in death by her parents Elsie and Martin Loken, her brothers Edwin and Carsten Loken, her husband Charles Gilmore, her son Charles Loken, and her son-in-law Harry A. King.

She is survived by her daughters Toni Freed of Denver, Kristina (David) Murphy of Seattle, WA, Mary King of Denver, CO, and son Douglas (Shannon) Freed of Grand Junction, CO. Additionally, she is survived by her grandchildren, Cody (Shawna) Roach of Dana Point, CA, Megan (Dean) Timmermann, Brian (Kerri) Murphy and Shannon Murphy (husband Ben Dupoy) all of Seattle, WA; and her six great-grandchildren, Cody, Ryan, and John Roach, Vivienne and Abigail Timmermann and Tatum Murphy. She is also survived by a sister, Elsa Hayes of Ridge, MT, and many nieces and nephews.

She will be sorely missed by all of those who loved her so.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 23 at 2:00pm at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6601 S Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO 80121.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Olga's name to the Denver Rescue Mission or any charity of your choice.