Myrtle Louise (Freeman) Chase

Myrtle Louise (Freeman) Chase died on April 29, 2022, at the age of 93. She was born on January 10, 1929, in Junction, Texas to Ernest William and Laura Mae (Taylor) Freeman.

Myrtle was raised during The Great Depression and knew first-hand the full effects of poverty and hard work. She was the sixth of 11 children born to Laura Taylor, making her a true “middle-child” which she considered to be something that made her unique in a large family.

When she was a young girl, there was a time when their family was totally without food or money, and her mother had a broken arm, which had to be bound in a homemade splint because they had no money for medical attention. Myrtle said that she knelt by her bed and pleaded with God to send them food and help for her mother. She also promised God that if He would help them, she would never turn away a child in need.

Shortly thereafter, a kind man and his wife, who happened to be a nurse, learned of the desperate need in a family that they didn’t know. But that couple brought food enough for the large family and properly cared for the broken arm.

Myrtle made good on her promise to the Heavenly Father, by opening her home throughout her life, to over 1,000 foster children. Some stayed for a night, some stayed for years, and some were adopted into the family, as children and grandchildren. Many have called her “Mother”, for the unconditional love she gave. When children would arrive at her door, they usually had nothing more than the clothes on their backs. She kept a supply of basic clothes for girls and boys of all ages, usually spending her own money to make sure these children never left her home, the way they arrived. She also made sure they received any needed medical and mental health attention, which was also frequently at her and Fred’s own expense.  

Myrtle believed in working for what you get and was never shy about sharing that work ethic with her children, grandchildren, and foster children. She was 90 years old before she ever lived on a paved road, or had a dishwasher or garbage disposal. She spent her life gardening, canning, and sharing food. She loved all flowers and even when her health was seriously declining, and she could do no more than pull a couple of weeds or plant a couple of flowers, she gave it her all. She never thought she would live 93 years, but every winter she would buy flowers and seeds, to be ready for spring planting.

When she was 26 years old, she invited missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints into her home. She and Fred joined the church and raised their children, teaching them a deep love for the Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her children, Jerry (Jenny) Chase, Tim (Renee) Chase, Susan (Sam Burris) Paul (Connie) Chase, and Carl (Salena) Chase. She is also survived by 3 additional generations, as well as siblings, Dorothy Freeman Reazin, Jean (Jenny) Freeman Lawton, Cindy Goerlits, and Ray Embree.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Fred Chase, and grandson, Jeremiah Paul Chase. She is also preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Kathleen Marie Harnish Chase; son-in-law, Donald Marshall Stark; and siblings, Novellene Hanes Larkin, Ernest William (Tom) Freeman, Kathryn Freeman West, Nadine Freeman Parks, Ed Freeman, and Charles Freeman.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Canon City, Colorado. A viewing will be from 9:00 to 9:45 AM, with the funeral service beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow services at Lakeside Cemetery (Veterans Section), also in Canon City, Colorado.

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