Jean Fretland

Visitation: Friday, November 2, 2007 at at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Prayer Service: Friday, November 2, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Funeral Service: Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Interment: Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery.

JeanFretland, age 86 of Roundup, formerly of Miles City, passed away at Roundup Memorial Extended Care on Saturday, October 27, 2007 surrounded by her family. She was born Jean Ruth Egge on July 21, 1921 in Lavina, MT. She was the daughter of Charles Burdette and Clara Egge. Jean grew up on a ranch with three brothers. Being the only girl, she didn't really take to dressing up in frilly things. She modeled herself after her dad. She enjoyed being a tomboy. Jean was a terrific athlete. She played basketball during her high school years. She was on the Lavina state championship basketball team of 1938~39.Jean graduated from high school in 1939. She obtained her Bachelors degree from Eastern Montana College in Billings. She taught at Cohagen for a couple of years before beginning a lengthy teaching career in Miles City. Jean taught Physical Education and English for a number of years. She taught a few generations of families in Miles City. She was well respected among students and teachers. Several of her former students have said that she was the best teacher they ever had and that they never forgot their English grammar because of her approach to teaching. She was a life guard at the city pool and she taught social dance. Jean was a great dancer and in her youth loved to go to country dances.

On March 3, 1962, she married Clint Fretland in Roundup, MT. Together they raised four children: sons Lynn and Jeff and daughters Elin, and Medora. Jean worked along side Clint on their farm on Haynes Ave for forty-four years. She loved being outside with her horses.Jean loved learning about Native American culture. She often took Medora to Lame Deer and together they learned and experienced many things about the Cheyenne culture. Jean attended many Native American powwows, sundances, and weddings. During the mid 70s she traveled to Lame Deer on a regular basis to study the Cheyenne language.

At the age of 69, Jean had the opportunity to travel abroad for the first time. She went to Japan on three different occasions to visit her daughter Elin who was teaching English in Japan.

Jean was a fiercely independent and extremely strong-willed woman. She was an extremely hard worker. Even into her eighties, she was still climbing a ladder to paint the house and mowing the lawn on her riding lawnmower. Money, prestige, and status were never important to her. What was important to her personally was her family and her strong sense of independence.

Jean defined what it means to not get old. She didn't let age define her. Jean and Clint were very much alike in that respect. Jean didn't believe that age should stop you from doing what you want in life. People were amazed by the fact that despite her failing eyesight, and physical limitations, she still managed to do most things well into her eighties.

Jean is survived by her children LynnDanklefsen of Miles City, Jeff Fretland of El Paso, Texas, ElinAhmadpour and her husband Naser of Al Ain, The United Arab Emirates, Medora and Jack Burgess of Sidney, MT, two brothers, Charles BerdetteEgge of Glendive and her brother JohnEgge and his wife Shirley of Roundup, MT. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, her husband Clint and one granddaughter.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 2, 2007 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A Prayer Service will be held on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery. Condolences may be made to the family by visitingwww.stevensonandsons.com.