Dennis "Punch" Freeland

Funeral Services for Dennis J. "Punch" Freeland will be held on Friday, December 17, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Virginia Fleharty officiating. Interment will be held at Industry Cemetery near Atlanta, Nebraska with military honors conducted by the Martin Horn American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corp Military Honors Team.

Dennison Jackson "Punch" Freeland, 80 years of age, of rural Atlanta, passed away on Monday, December 13, 2010 at his home in rural Atlanta. He was born on July 23, 1930 on a farm northwest of Atlanta in Phelps County, Nebraska, the fourth child born to Alfred and Florence (Leach) Freeland. He made the headlines in the newspaper for weighing 13 pounds at birth. He received his primary education from a District School near at Atlanta and then attended the Mascot School. Following his education, Dennis served his country in the United States Marine Corp at Camp Pendleton, California from August 15, 1951 until his honorable discharge on August 14, 1953, at which time he served in the Reserves. While in the Marines, he was known as "Tiny" by his platoon. While growing up his father had nicknames for all the children, Punch followed this tradition by having nicknames for all his own children as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On August 10, 1954 he was united in marriage to Verlene Ruth Schmidt and to this union four boys and two girls were born: Steve, Terry, Mark, Dave, Tami and Julie. He continued to farm until his retirement. He loved being on the farm with his animals and spending time with his grandchildren. While raising his own children he also helped raise his brother-in-law, Ronald "Dutch" Schmidt.

Dennis was a member of Atlanta United Methodist Church.

Besides his parents, Punch was preceded in death by two sisters: Florine Freeland in infancy and Norma Freeland at the age of nine; and three brothers: Bruce and his wife, Arzetta, Bob and Rodney Freeland.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Verlene; six children: Steve Freeland of St. Francis, Kansas, Terry Freeland and his wife, Beverly of Atlanta, Mark Freeland and his wife, Patricia of Holdrege, Dave Freeland and his wife, Sheri of Atlanta, Tami Peltier and her husband, Greg of Concordia, Kansas, and Julie Lindstrom and her husband, Bryan of Bertrand, Nebraska; daughter-in-law, Linda Freeland of Loomis, Nebraska; eleven grandchildren: Travis Freeland and his wife, Katie, Tyler Freeland and significant other, Kalei Chase, Micki Fisher and her husband, Justin, Cody Freeland and his wife, Tami, Lacie Wright and her husband, Kelly, Whitney Freeland and significant other, Cole Krienert, Kyle Freeland and significant other, Rylee Bartruff, Meagan Johnson and her husband, Jacob, Amanda Lindstrom and her fiancé, Jordan Browitt and Makaila and Maddison Peltier; four step grandchildren: Tiffany Eschen, Mandra Germaine and her husband, Chris, Lukas Peters and Rachel Robinson; six great-grandchildren: Lexie, Jada, Neveah, Crew, Hailey, and Ridley; seven step great-grandchildren: Kyler, Tanner, Jailyn, Austin, Alivia, Victoria, and Christopher; one brother, Larry Freeland and his wife, Sharon of Franklin, Nebraska; two sisters: Faye Peterson and her husband, Rod of Gibbon, Nebraska, Beverly Braden and her husband, Richard of York, Nebraska; two brothers-in-law: Ronald "Dutch" Schmidt of Holdrege and Leighton Schmidt and his wife, Janet of Beaver City, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law: Carole Conley and her husband, Harvey of California and Kay Evans and her husband, Dennis of Elwood, Nebraska and a host of several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 16, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his name and kindly suggested to the Atlanta United Methodist Church.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.