On May 12, 2008, Freeland Fred Mead passed into the arms of his Heavenly Father while surrounded by family and friends. Freeland Mead was born in a covered wagon on March 19, 1917 near Nenzel, NE to parents Fred and Cecelia (Myers) Mead. He spent his early years near Tamarack, MN. Following his parents deaths Fred lived for a time with his brother, Fern and his family and then with his brother, Frank and his family. He was on his own at an early age; during the Depression years Fred rode the rails, working where there was a job. On Dec. 8, 1941 he enlisted in the US Army and served in the South Pacific where he earned a Purple Heart. After recuperating in New York, Fred served in the US Air Force at Sioux Falls where he met the love of his life, Betty Rose Gile. They were married March 31, 1945. Two children, Barbara and Daniel blessed the couple. Fred was ordained June 27, 1982 and served as the interim or associate pastor of several churches including congregations in Minot, ND, Scotland, Big Springs, Alcester and Dalesburg, SD. Formerly of Vermillion and Meckling, he passed away after a long illness and will be sorely missed by his wife, Betty; his children, Barbara and Ronald Holthe of Logan, IA and Daniel and Barbara Mead of Rockford, MI; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Dan and Jennifer Mead (Logan), Matt and Tina Mead (Noah, Megan, Lincoln) and Froilan Mead (Leal) all of Rockford, MI, Nathan and Jen Mead of Tucson, AZ, Jon and Kelli Holthe (Bria and Emmy) of Grand Forks, ND, Serena Holthe of Baltimore, MD and Sarah Holthe of Logan, IA. Freeland is also survived by one sister, Fayne and Lyle Hall of Mission, TX; four brothers-in-law, Dene Gile, Cliff and Betty Gile, Ray and Gloria Gile all of Madison, and Merle and Donna Gile of Sioux Falls; and two sisters-in-law, Mae and Kenneth Buthe of Dell Rapids and Ruth Topping of Monrovia, CA; and many nieces, nephews and a host of young people he loved. A Celebration of Freelands Life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 17th at Alcester Baptist Church. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Alcester Baptist Church with the family present from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. The family requests memorials to Alcester Baptist Church Mission Fund.