To view Philip's vigil service, please visit: https://youtu.be/LhR0iCan1iw

To view Philip's Mass of Christian burial, please visit: https://youtu.be/txppP8UWKSQ

Philip George Freeman , 92, was born to William Freeman and Margaret (Walker) Freeman on April 22,1932, in Glendale, CA. Philip passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at home with family by his side shortly upon returning from the hospital after having had a major stroke.

Philip was raised in the desert area of Southern California.  After a visit to see relatives in North Dakota in his youth, he determined the lush summer greens of North Dakota were for him. He returned to Grand Forks, North Dakota after graduating from Coachella Valley High School in California to attend the University of North Dakota where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry.  Philip's first year at UND is when he learned about North Dakota winters, undeterred, he stayed. While studying in his second year at UND, a classmate at his dormitory said, "You need to meet my sister. I've never before seen two such similar people."  That is when he met the love of his life, Reine.

Philip was united in marriage to Reine Victoria Desautels on September 8, 1953. Philp and Reine then continued to reside in Grand Forks as Philip completed his college education.  After graduating college in 1954, Philip and his young family briefly moved to Illinois for a job that quickly resulted in an opportunity to move back to North Dakota where both Philip and his wife longed to return. Upon moving back to Grand Forks, Philip began working as a Research Chemist for the U.S. Bureau of Mines on the UND Campus. When that facility became the Energy & Environmental Research Center, Philip transferred to working at the new facility and eventually branched out into working in Environment and Safety for the latter part of his career. Philip continued working at the EERC until retirement.

Philip was a devoted father and husband to Reine with whom he raised their 10 children together.

Philip had many hobbies and interests during his life including creating art with watercolors and stained glass, SCUBA diving, and researching his ancestry. After his retirement, Philip spent many years helping his family in various ways, his favorite of those ways being with Reine while they "helped out" with the grandchildren.

Philip was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. His services included lector at Sunday Masses for several years, communion distribution during Mass and to the sick, and volunteering at many funerals, church suppers, and St. Mary's School events.

Philip is survived by 8 of his 10 children: Jane Freeman, Grand Forks, ND; Mark (Terri) Freeman, Bismarck, ND; Jude Freeman, Grand Forks, ND; Joseph (Cathy) Freeman, Grand Forks, ND; Andrew (Peggy) Freeman, Cedar Rapids, IA; Paul Freeman, Grand Forks, ND; Martin (Mary) Freeman, Apache Junction, AZ; Mary (Philip Brady) Christenson, Lewisville, NC; 25 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Philip was preceded in death by his loving wife of 69 years, Reine Freeman, a son, Gregory (Marilyn) Freeman, a daughter Kathleen (David) Moum, a grandson, Joseph Freeman, Jr. and granddaughter-in-law, Jenny Tone-Pah-Hote.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2024, in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.

Visitation: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 23, 2024, with a 5:00 p.m. Rosary Service and Vigil Service in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Monday.