Obituary of Gail Freeze

Obituary of Gail Ann Freeze

Gail Freeze, of Frisco, Colorado, died unexpectedly, yet peacefully, on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the age of 68. She was born on February 2, 1954 in Columbus, Indiana. She is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Donna Freeze, and her brother-in-law, Jay Schreiner. She is survived by her siblings, Carol (Michael) Berry, Mary Beth Schreiner, Ellen (Dave) Conner, Tom (Laura) Freeze, and Julia (Lyndon) Azcuna. She also has ten nieces and nephews: Sarah (Tyler) Dobelbower, Dan (Ann) Conner, Anne Conner, Kathlyn Conner, Donna (Chris) Armentrout, Hannah (Chance) Smith, Lia Azcuna, Sophie Azcuna, Isaac Azcuna, and Sam Azcuna. She also has four great nieces and nephews: Max, Marlo, Pierce, and Betsy Dobelbower. We are very saddened by this loss.

Gail grew up in Charles City, Iowa, and later graduated from Iowa State University. She received her MBA from University of Indiana and worked for Proctor and Gamble out of college. She enjoyed traveling, spending several months backpacking through Europe. She lived with her sister Carol in Barcelona, Spain, for over a decade, where she taught English as a second language. Before returning to the US from Barcelona she took a solo trip around the world in which she especially enjoyed the beauty of New Zealand. Stateside, she joined a trip to Uganda with River Valley Community Church of Mishawaka, IN. There she was able to visit Beth Baleke, our long-time family friend. Gail was very touched by what she experienced on that trip. With a tender heart, she often gave Christmas gifts to family members which were donations of livestock to impoverished families in Africa. Gail had been planning to visit Spain again to do the pilgrimage of Santiago de Compostela.

Gail loved outdoor sports, especially running, skiing, and bicycling. She finished multiple marathons and half marathons, traveling to many states. At 60, she and her niece Donna finished the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego. In Frisco, Gail enjoyed winter skiing. In the summer, she participated in numerous Rocky Mountain rides. Gail attended Dillon Community Church, participated in Bible Study Fellowship for many years, and sang with the Summit Chorale Society. A highlight for Gail was a trip with them to New York City to sing in Carnegie Hall. Gail cherished the many dogs that were in her life, lovingly caring for them into their old age.

A memorial service for Gail will be held at Redeemer Church, 1234 Fulkerson Road, Niles, MI 49120, on Friday, June 3 at 4:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the Azcuna home, 16970 Woodshire Court, Granger, IN 46530.

If you are so inclined, gifts in memory of Gail can be given to any of Gail’s favorite charities: Musana (musana.org, or Musana, 400 W. South Boulder Road, Suite 1700, Lafayette, CO 80026); Scripture Union (ScriptureUnion.org, or Scripture Union USA, P.O. Box 215, Valley Forge, PA 19481 – please indicate “Beth Baleke, Uganda,” in the notes or memo – or if you prefer to send money to her personal account: Beth Baleke, c/o Therrell Williams, 4348 Barquero Court East, Jacksonville, FL 32217); or LifePlan (LifePlan.org or LifePlan, 527 East Main St., Niles, MI 49120).