Ada Freese

Ada W. Hamil Freese died Jan. 12, 2006, in Portland, Ore.

She was born Oct. 21, 1918, to Joe and Jessie Hanil in Whitefish and graduated from Whitefish High School in 1936.

Ada continued her education at Cheney, Wash., where she earned her degree, after which she taught for many years in the Beaverton, Ore., school system, where her husband coached football and became athletic director.

Ada proved to be a highly dedicated teacher and was an inspiring force to her young charges, always taking them that "one step beyond." She loved her job and her students.

Ada and Gene Freese were married in Whitefish on June 9, 1942, at the family home.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews in the Portland area and in the Flathead Valley

Graveside services were held on Jan. 19, 2006, at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.