Hollis L. Freeman

Hollis Lee Freeman was born on March 9, 1957, in Sparta, to William and Geneva (Jay) Freeman. He passed away peacefully at the age of 66 years, on June 19, 2023 at the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta.

Hollis was raised on the family farm in Big Creek, where he lived his entire life. He graduated from Sparta High School in 1975. Upon graduating, he worked on the family farm until 1985, when he started working at Carlisle (Sparta Brush). Hollis had a strong work ethic. He worked there for the next 35 years until Carlisle closed their doors in 2020, and he retired. Hollis’s retirement and life was ultimately cut short due to the onset of Frontotemporal Dementia, with the ALS component, in the fall of 2020.

Hollis married the love of his life, Debbie Ronke, on September 27, 1986. Together, they built a house on their land that was part of the family farm. They started a family together and had their first daughter, Holly, followed by their twin daughters, Megan and Morgan.

Hollis had an avid love for the outdoors. He enjoyed gun and bow hunting, turkey hunting, and fishing. He also enjoyed teaching others about hunting, especially his daughters. Some other outdoor activities that Hollis loved were camping, riding the UTV, and going on motorcycle rides with his wife. Additionally, he liked to go on hunting trips out West with his lifelong friends. If you knew Hollis, you knew he would chat your ear off for hours. These conversations were filled with so much knowledge, wisdom, and probably lots of jokes. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Hollis is survived by his wife, Debbie of Sparta; daughters, Holly (Dan) Taylor of Black River Falls, Megan (Jordan) King of Onalaska, and Morgan (Ben) Teale of North Bend; grandchildren, Anna, Ellis, Finley, and two more grandbabies on the way; brothers, Bill Freeman and Bob (Sandy) Freeman; and many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Geneva Freeman; brother, Terry Freeman; and sister, Suzie Freeman.

The family would like to thank Hospice Touch, Tomah, and Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta, for the wonderful care they gave to Hollis.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023 at St. John’s Ev Lutheran Church, Sparta, with Reverend Jon Hackbarth officiating. Burial will be at a later time in Melrose Cemetery, Melrose.

Family and friends are invited for visitation from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, and from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Friday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. 

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