Martin "Jake" Jacob Freyer

Martin Jacob “Jake” Freyer was born August 20, 1928.  He passed away at 9:30 pm, September18th at the Mo Veterans Home with his family by his side. He made his 93rd birthday, but missed his 70th wedding anniversary which would have been Oct 28th. He married Mary Lou Peak on Oct 28, 1951 at the Laddonia Christian Church and she survives.

They were blessed with Marty, Dene and Kevin. He is survived by Marty, Dene (Michael) both Mexico, MO. Kevin was deceased in 2017. He leaves 3 grandchildren, Jay (Lindsay) Freyer, Mindy (Shane) Cox and Tonya Freyer. He was blessed also with 12 great grandchildren also surviving and many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. Jake died the last of his generation.  The 6th of six children of Leslie and Adine Martin Freyer, whose grandfather founded Martinsburg, Mo.   He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Leslie (Mildred) Freyer, Sr. and sisters, Mona (Charles) Vandaveer, Francis (Botts) Cauthorn, Grace Peak Johnston, and Sue (Walter) Koelsch. Several brothers in law and sisters in law survive.

When Brother Bud came home from WWII and Jake, a paratrooper with the 187th Airborne R.C.T. Rakkassans, returned from the Korean War, they established Freyer Farms.   Jake and  Bud  became  progressive  farmers, even  arguing with  their  dad about why fertilizer  should be  used before  the grain was  planted. Jake became life long friends of University Extension Agent, Dale Schnarre.  The extension office had just set-up shared information with the University professors learning about early commercial fertilizers, animal nutrition, vitamins, minerals, farm chemicals, and irrigation. This began their career and they continued to be progressive farmers. In the 80's the university had test plots of dryland corn, which had top yield.

Jake loved tending his cattle.  He fed 1000 head of fat cattle per year, filled 9 silos and had a hand in 14 irrigation pivots on his farm. As Jakes son, Marty remembers that the days cattle were shipped he had to sit at the dinner, table and be quite so Jake could hear on the radio that Freyer Farms had topped the St  Lo livestock market that day.  Even in his 90's, Jake remained progressive and supported his son, Kevin, when he decided the best way to restore microbiotics in the soil was to use organic fertilizer. 

Jake lived in the house he was born in up until June of 2018 when he went to live at VA Home. He always said he had a good life and accomplished what he wanted.  He didn’t want his family to be sad when he was gone.

Jake had many friends and neighbors, special one's being the Thomas families and Robert Dubbert, members of Laddonia Christian Church, where he was Chairman of the Board for many years and his traveling partners, Joe and Alma Jo Remley, Dale Schnarre, Cattle Buyers, Foncey Fennewald and Bob Johnson. Later years his best sparing partner was Herbie Kniphel. The list is too numerous to mention everyone.

Jake loved water skiing. Many a time he was heard telling the story about being pulled up while standing on a wooden bench on top of a wooden saucer with a nephew on his shoulder.  These same young nephews said, “First came God, then came Jesus, then came Jake!”

Jake had a vibrant sense of humor, an ornery smile and loved to tease!  Jake was known to shake the ice in a tea glass letting his wife, daughter, nieces, or whoever was near, know that his glass was empty. Being the last of 6 children he was spoiled by his mother, then his wife, daughter and family.  Jake had a special way of helping others. One example was he would give to the Laddonia Grocery Store so the store owner could give to those most in need.  He taught his children, that you don't just pray for yourself, you also pray for someone else.

Jake was a 50 year member of the American Legion Post 510.  He was also a lifelong member of the Laddonia Christian church and involved with the Martinsburg MFA.

Jake passed under a full harvest moon, which farmers consider a blessing,

There will be a private family service at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Laddonia Christian Church or the Mo Veterans Home in Mexico, Mo.

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