UPDATE: 'Mr. Northfield' Dan Freeman Dies at Age 72

Northfield legend Dan Freeman, 72, has died.

Freeman—well known for his involvement in many aspects of life in Northfield—passed away Monday night at the Northfield Retirement Center, according to a death notice released by the Benson and Langehough Funeral Home.

Freeman had battled health issues for some time. But, according to a post written by his daughter Suzanne on his Facebook page April 26, his health unexpectedly took a turn for the worse in recent weeks.

Very simply, his lungs are too scarred and damaged from his bouts with pneumonia, and there's just nothing they can do for him. He's continuing to get weaker and weaker. He'll likely remain at the same complex in Northfield. I'm so sorry to give you all this news.

Suzanne announced her father’s death on Caring Bridge late Monday night. She titled the entry “Last curtain call.”

As you all can imagine, while we knew it was coming, no one expected it so soon.

Freeman was familiar to many Northfielders from his involvement with KYMN Radio, local theater and the Defeat of Jesse James Days, among other activities.

Click here to hear an interview with Freeman conducted on KYMN last October by Wayne Eddy.

In 1994, he was recipient of the Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award, an honor that goes to the Northfield resident to “remind us of our past and our promise to improve our community for the future," according to the DJJD website.

In January, community members paid tribute to Freeman in a fundraiser fittingly called “Stepping Out for Mr. Northfield, A Benefit for Dan.”

The previous month, he was one of the top vote-getters in the Northfield Patch 2012 Person of the Year balloting.

Click here to see photos of Freeman on Caring Bridge.

Check back for updated funeral information.

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UPDATE 2:45 P.M. TUESDAY — Northfield radio station KYMN has announced on Facebook that six hours of conversations between Dan Freeman and Wayne Eddy have been posted for listening on its website. Click here to go to the web page.

Here is a portion of the tribute that KYMN's Jeff Johnson wrote on the website today:

Dan had been involved with KYMN Radio since [its] infancy in the late 1960′s.  From doing coaches shows from “The Hub” and calling history’s only metric football game in the 70′s to retiring from his Sunday Morning Show earlier this year, Dan left an indelible mark on KYMN.

What we will take with us, though, is not what he did behind the microphone or under the spotlight of the stage, what we will remember is the man himself.  His passion and compassion.  Dan was a great friend to us all.  “Mr. Northfield” was an apt moniker for not only his public life, but also his private life.

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UPDATE 4:45 P.M. TUESDAY — Here is the updated death notice for Dan Freeman from Benson & Langehough Funeral Home:

Daniel Bennett Freeman, 72 of Northfield, passed away Monday evening, May 6, 2013, at the Care Center of the Northfield Retirement Community.  He was born October 10, 1940, in Northfield to Sidney and Lydia (Bennett) Freeman.

Survivors include his children: Nathan and wife Trish of Northfield, Jeff and companion Susan Beckles of Richfield, Suzanne of Los Angeles; 2 grandchildren: Ryann of Brooklyn, New York, Jordan of Northfield; 2 brothers: Jim and wife Kathy of Kasson, Jon and wife Phyllis of Faribault; 2 sisters: Deborah Buchbinder of Northfield, Sylvia Chase of San Francisco; his former wife, Gretchen Freeman of Burnsville; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of Dan’s life will be held at 3PM, Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Valley Grove Church, rural Nerstrand.  Visitation will be 2-7PM Friday, May 10, 2013, at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home. www.northfieldfuneral.com

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UPDATE 2:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY — Here is updated vistation, funeral and memorial service information posted this afternoon by Dan Freeman's grandson, Ryann, on Dan Freeman's Caring Bridge web page:

Here is the latest on the visitation, funeral, and memorial arrangements in loving memory of our sweet-smiling Dan:
Visitation: Benson & Langehough Funeral Home  Friday, May 10th from 2-7pm
 201 E. 4th Street Northfield, MN 55057 507.645.5123

Funeral:  Valley Grove Church Saturday, May 11th at 3pm
 9999 155th St. E. Nerstrand, MN 55053 http://valleygrovemn.com/map.cfm

Memorial  Rueb 'n' SteinParty:  Saturday, May 11th following the funeral service
503 Division St. Northfield, MN 55057 507.645.6691

Regarding the funeral service, we have been informed by the coordinators over at Valley Grove that the white church should hold around 250 people including the use of the balcony, though it will be pretty packed at that capacity.  In an effort to avoid a huge overflow of people at the church, we ask that everyone think about where they would feel best celebrating Dan, remembering that there is also the visitation and memorial party.  While we are still working out the majority of the details for the memorial party, we are of course, in no other fashion than the Danny Freeman fashion, thinking BIG. We want this memorial to be a major celebration, so we would love absolutely everyone to be there.  We will continue to update everyone through all channels with more details on the memorial party.

Thank you all, so so so very much for your continued support.  

With love from the Freeman Gang,
Ryann.