Berniece Louise Freschet

Berniece Louise Freschet, 82, of Polson, MT, passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at St. Luke's Extended Care Facility in Ronan, MT. Born on August 4, 1927 in Miles City, MT, Berniece was a daughter of Paul and Rose Zigele Speck and in1952, married Ferruccio Freschet in Virginia City, NV. The Freschet family traveled and lived in many places ' San Matea, CA: Lexington, MA: Long Island, Newburgh, and Yorktown Heights, NY: but always returned to Montana. It is the land, the wildlife, and the plants of her native Montana that inspired Berniece to become a children's book author. At the same time that she and her husband, Ferruccio, were raising a family of five active children, Berniece was also bringing to life the diverse 'characters' of Montana animals in the pages of close to over forty published children's books: 'characters' such as Little Black Bear, Henrietta's Hen, the Old bullfrog and so many others. Her award-winning books continue to bring understanding and inspiration to all, just as she was a guiding light and source of inspiration to all her loved ones. Berniece loved life in all its forms ' her gardening, the wildlife she wrote of, and the family that she unceasingly lavished so much love and good cooking upon. Her family is proud of her accomplishments, her independent spirit and the fact that she is a product of her beloved birthplace ' Montana. Besides her parents, Berniece is preceded in death by a daughter, Dinah Hair. Surviors include her husband, Ferruccio Freschet: three daughters, Leslie Ann, Gina Marie, and Maria Teresa: one son, Francis Paul: a sister, Kathleen Young, and five grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2010, 11:00 AM, at the Grogan Funeral Home, Polson. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. There will be a reading of selected stories by Berniece Freschet at the Polson City Library on Tuesday, August 3, 2010, 1:00 PM. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory considers it a privilege to care for Mrs. Frecshet's family.
Read Berniece Freschet's Obituary and Guestbook.