Jane Freier

Margaret “Jane” Freier, of Stevensville, passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at The Timbers of Cass County in Dowagiac. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Monday, June 2, 2014 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville, MI with Rev. Jonathan Kruschel officiating.  Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery in Bridgman, MI  Friends may visit on Sunday, June 1, 2014 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials in her honor may be made to American Diabetes Association or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.   Those wishing to sign Margaret’s Memory Book may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Margaret was born August 16, 1929 in Lakeland, Florida to Edward and Lillie (Morris) Bennett.    She graduated from Summerlin Institute, Bartow, Florida in 1947 and Nursing School in 1950.   She worked for a number of years as a private scrub nurse to three neurosurgeons at Orange Memorial Hospital in Orlando Florida.    She married Elmer Freier at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church on May 9, 1962.    She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, a member of the Ladies Aid and did numerous projects at the Church including working on many funeral luncheons and Mission Dinners.   She also made over 200 baptismal napkins and also made several crocheted hangings of the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23.   Her hobbies included knitting, crocheting, canning and cooking.    She enjoyed being around family, hosting holiday meals, summer cookouts and celebrations.  Over the many years of her knitting she has made gifts of over 100 knitted Afghans, 90 christening shawls and many knitted sweaters. She is survived by her sons, Edward of Stevensville, Frederick of Stevensville and Thomas (Krista) of Holland, MI.    Also survived by Brothers Robert (Ann) Bennett of Franklin, NC; Clifford (Betty) Bennett of Orlando, FL and Sister Janet “Carol” Allred of Green Cove Springs, FL; Sister-in-law Gloria Bennett of Thonotosassa, FL.   And many nephews and nieces; and several grand nephews and nieces. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elmer, Brother James “Howard” Bennett, Brother-in-Law Roy Allred, and nephew Eric Bennett.