Melissa Lee (Gedney) Freeman, 67, of Belen, New Mexico peacefully passed from this life Thursday, May 19, 2016 at her home in Belen.
Melissa, or “Liss” as she was sometimes known, was born in Smith Center, Kansas on January 19, 1949 to Irwin and Jean Gedney of Gaylord, Kansas. She was raised on the Cedar Lawn farm in Gaylord with her two siblings, Donna Muck (Gedney) and Michael. Melissa spoke fondly of her life on “the farm” and growing up in Gaylord. Melissa often spoke of the mischief and laughter that existed between her and her siblings and was always thankful for the love of her parents. Melissa attended the Gaylord Community Church whose congregation served as a significant source of support throughout her life. Melissa attended the Gaylord Public School and graduated as Valedictorian of her class. In her youth, Melissa was a member of the Solomon Valley 4-H Club, competed in the Miss Solomon Valley pageant and enjoyed traveling to Elbert, Colorado to visit members of her mother’s family. Melissa attended Kansas State University (K-State) where she graduated with Honors as she obtained a Bachelors Degree in Home Economics. While at K-State Melissa sang with the K-State Singers which provided her the opportunity to travel internationally. At K-State she became a sorority member of Alpha Chi Omega Gamma Chapter. Melissa’s daughter, Christine, went right along with her to K-State at that time.
After graduating from K-State, Melissa taught high school Home Economics courses in western Kansas. Melissa met her husband, Butch Freeman, in 1975 as a result of a blind date that proved to be successful as they were married in August of that year at the Gaylord Community Church. Melissa moved to Albuquerque New Mexico shortly after their wedding and taught high school Home Economics for the Albuquerque Public School System. In 1979, Melissa returned to Gaylord and taught Home Economics at Osborne High School. In 1980 Melissa and her family moved to Bloomfield, New Mexico. Her youngest daughter, Becky, was born shortly after Melissa’s arrival in Bloomfield. Melissa taught high school Home Economics in the Bloomfield Public School system for a number of years and it was during this time she earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from New Mexico State University. In 1988 Melissa and her family moved to Belen, New Mexico where she taught high school using an adult living curriculum until her retirement in 2007. While teaching in Belen, Melissa was able to continue her international travel through a school based program with her daughter Becky. In 2012 Melissa was diagnosed with Progessive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) which she fought courageously until her passing. Melissa continued as “teacher” after retirement as she educated a number of people, including medical professionals, about PSP. Melissa’s ongoing faith provided a source of strength as she endured the effects of PSP.
Throughout her life, Melissa enjoyed boating, snow skiing and country and western dancing. She always looked forward to her trips back to Gaylord to visit family and members of the community. Melissa was skillful at sewing, baking and loved gardening. She loved music and the fine arts. She enjoyed playing piano, singing and had an extensive collection of artwork. Melissa had a wonderful sense of humor, loved her family, gave great hugs and will be missed by those who knew her.
Melissa was preceded in death by her parents, Jean and Irwin. She is survived by her husband, Butch Freeman of Belen, NM; daughters Becky Freeman of Albuquerque, NM; and Christine Wester and husband Brian of Albuquerque, NM; sister Donna Muck and husband James of Gaylord, KS; brother Michael Gedney and wife Rita of Overland Park, KS; nephew Jeff Muck of Gaylord, KS; nephew Ryan Gedney and wife Jen and their two daughters Nora and Elise of Kansas City, MO.
A celebration of Melissa's life will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, June 11, 2016 at the Gaylord Community Church, Gaylord, KS, with Pastor Randy Hill officiating. There will not be a public visitation, cremation was chosen. Inurnment will follow in the Gaylord Cemetery, Gaylord, KS. Memorials may be given to the Melissa L. Freeman Memorial Fund in care of the funeral chapel.