Myrna Freeman

A memorial service for Myrna Joyce Freemen, age 82, was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 23, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, South Dakota, with Pastor Bill Serr officiating.

Urn bearers were Ryker Peck, Talon Labahn, Weston Labahn, Cole Henningsgard, Kyser Peck, Reese Labahn, Brooks Henningsgard, and Liam Brown. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Myrna Joyce Freeman was born on April 11, 1944, at the Wagner hospital to Everett and Geneive Miller. She grew up on a farm south of Burke with her parents and sisters Claudine, Judy, Bonnie, and Cynthia. The girls spent their days playing together in the Ponca Creek and riding horses. Life on the farm was not easy, as they had no running water or electricity, which taught them all the value of hard work. Myrna and her sister Judy were often responsible for cooking and cleaning for the family. They also helped care for pigs and milk cows by hand.

Myrna attended Allum Country School through the eighth grade. During winter storms, their dad would pull them to school on a car hood behind a tractor so they could attend classes. After eighth grade, the family moved to Burke, where Myrna attended Burke High School.

Myrna became a mother at a young age to her sons, Dennis and Duane Labahn. In 1967, she met the love of her life, David Freeman, and the couple was married on April 6, 1968. They made their home in Draper, where Myrna stayed home caring for her boys while David worked for Max Horsley. Later, they moved to Burke, where Myrna worked for many years at Hutchison Drug. After leaving the drugstore, she opened an in-home daycare and cared for many children until her retirement.

In retirement, Myrna and Dave enjoyed camping and fishing along the Missouri River with friends and family. Myrna was devoted to her family and especially treasured time with her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She could always be found cheering them on at wrestling tournaments and baseball and football games.

Myrna loved playing cards with friends, attending bingo nights in Burke, baking, and volunteering in her community. She especially enjoyed helping at the Senior Citizen Center on Pie Day and volunteered for many years at the Burke Thrift Center.

Myrna passed away peacefully at Community Memorial Hospital in Burke on Friday, May 8, 2026.

She is survived by her sons Dennis (Lori) Labahn of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Duane (Barb) Labahn of Winner; her sister Bonnie Dimmick of Alcester; and her beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and many friends.

Myrna was preceded in death by her husband David Freeman; her sisters Claudine Vosika, Judy Toll, and Cynthia Cornaman; and her parents Everett and Geneive Miller.