Donna Mae Freemole

Yvonne (Clarkson) and A.L. Ericsson welcomed their daughter Donna on April 8, 1934 while living in Pierre, SD.

Donna Ericsson Freemole, age 85, passed away in Casper, WY on June 10, 2019.

As Donna was growing up in Belle Fourche, SD, many of the lessons she learned during the WWII years, she carried into her adult life such as rationing and "making do". Her childhood summers were spent on her grandparents' ranch in the Cave Hills of South Dakota where she fed bum lambs, made cottage cheese for the chickens, and learned to bake on the old black cook stove standing next to her grandmother. And, yes, her college major was in Home Economics. Somehow, she managed to squeeze in sessions at Camp Paha Sapa.

1947 found the four Ericsson kids piling into the family car for a trip to the Southwest and into Mexico. In 1948, more traveling but this time to Calgary and Banff, Canada and onto the West Coast. At 13 years old, Donna had been bitten by the travel bug.


Donna graduated from Belle Fourche High School with the Class of 1952. She played clarinet in the band and was active in school drama carrying that acting experience into Summer Stock. Walking home from school, she sometimes stopped in at "Honey's" to sit at the fountain, put a nickel in the juke box, and listen to her favorite song while sipping a coke.

For many years, Donna, and her horse, Thunder, rode in the Bit and Spur Quadrille, a square dance on horses. As a student at Colorado A and M in Fort Collins, she was a member of the Rodeo Club where she made life long friends.

Donna and Kenneth Freemole were married August 26, 1956. While Ken continued his college degree at South Dakota School of Mines, Donna worked at Buckingham Transportation. From Rapid City to Sioux Falls to Lander, WY, they moved with Ken's engineering activities, but after Ken established his company, the Freemoles made Casper their home where Donna remained for 51 years.

Donna was overjoyed when their son, David, was born, and motherhood fit her perfectly, but she yearned for a little girl. Her wish came true with the arrival of three adorable granddaughters: Madeline, Wendy, and Yvonne. Donna was very much a part of her granddaughters' lives.

While living in Casper, Donna was a Girl Scout Leader, a Garden Club member, an avid Duplicate Bridge Player, and she actively campaigned for her political candidates. She and Ken traveled extensively through Europe, enjoyed Hawaii, and enjoyed ports of call during multiple cruises.

Donna was the ultimate friend and a truly gracious lady during times of plenty and in trying times.

Donna Freemole is survived by her son, David, Casper, WY; three granddaughters: Madeline (Jake) Conley, Westminster, CO; Wendy Freemole, Muskogee, OK; Yvonne Freemole, Westminster; and a great-granddaughter, Camille Freemole, Westminster. Also surviving Donna are three brothers: Ronald (Jean) Ericsson, Alzada, MT/ Alpine, TX; Roland Ericsson, Henderson, NV; Lee Ericsson, Casper, WY; and a sister, Beverly Keegan, Aladdin, WY.

Predeceasing Donna were her husband, Kenneth Freemole; her parents, Yvonne and A.L. Ericsson; and a sister, Lynn Ericsson. No services are scheduled at this time.