Phyllis Freund

Phyllis Audrey Freund, 87, of Traverse City, born in Detroit March 16, 1930, passed away Friday, April 7, 2017 at Arbor House Assisted Living.

In 1946 her family moved to Oscoda, where she met her future husband. She graduated from Oscoda High School in 1948 and later that year she was first runner up in the Miss Oscoda Beauty Pageant. "My biggest thrill was when I got my picture taken with Robert Stack."

In 1953 Phyllis married her high school sweetheart; in 1954, they moved to Lansing, where she worked as a cashier for Kroger. The couple purchased a home in Inkster in 1959. In late 1969 they moved to Traverse City and purchased Little Bohemia Tavern. Spare time was spent hiking; their favorite place was the Brown Bridge Quiet Area.

Phyllis was a natural botanist. In 1973 Tom's Food Market, M-72 West, hired her to assist in the opening of a full service garden center. It was her dream job; she was truly in her element. A former co-worker said, "She was smart, fun and all the customers loved her."

Phyllis' parents and siblings, Kitty and Jimmy, preceded her on her final journey.

She is survived by her children, Richard (Sally) C. Freund, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Nancy A. Freund, of Traverse City, and Edward (Tammie) J. Freund, of Traverse City; and her grandsons, Raymond (Colleen) D. Freund, of Traverse City, Aaron C. Freund, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Larry J. Ransom, of Traverse City; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Per her final wishes, cremation has taken place. The Freund family will host a celebration of life Sunday, April 23, 2017, from noon to 6 p.m., at Little Bohemia, 540 W. Front Street.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the Cherryland Humane Society.

A special thank you is extended to Cindy Robertson and the entire staff at Arbor House Assisted Living for their excellent care of our mom for the past seven years; they are truly angels on earth.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guestbook and share your thoughts and memories with the family.

The family is being served by Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City. - See more at: http://obituaries.record-eagle.com/story/phyllis-freund-1930-2017-907064822#sthash.gJIQethm.dpuf