John H. “Johnny” Freiberger, 84, surrounded by his wife and children, died Monday, May 12, at his home.
He was born on September 9, 1929 to Gust and Lillian (Goos) Freiberger at Bridgeport, NE. Johnny lived
with his parents and older sister on a farm outside Bridgeport, NE. He swam, with friends, in the river,
herded turkeys, broke Shetland ponies, attended school and teased his sister. His family moved to
Alliance when he was 12 years old.
Johnny graduated from Alliance High School in 1947. He received many music awards, including a 4 year
scholarship to Chadron State College. While at CSC he had the great honor to sing for the governor. He
had worked for the Peterson Brothers Ranch and fallen in love with one of the owners’ daughters. They decided in 1948 that he would quit college and start ranching. John and Tina were married on December 19, 1948 in Alliance. They ranched south of Alliance in the Sandhills until they retired in 2010 and moved into town.
He was a devoted dad, husband and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Tina, their four children, Carolyn Godwin of Minden, Ne., Peggy (John) Sampson of Alliance, Linda (Jim) Wodke of Loveland, Co. and Don (Vic) Freiberger of Alliance. He is also survived by 78 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Johnny enjoyed the community he lived in and believed in helping out. He was active in the First
Christian Church as Elder, Treasurer, Chairman of the Board, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Director,
Children’s Music Director, State Music Minister, Local Lay minister to National Conferences and faithful
prayer warrior. He was the Alliance Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Chairman. He was active in the
Storm Lake 4-H club where his children attended. He was on the board of the Nebraska Boys Ranch.
Many of the Boys Ranch boys worked in his hay field to gain working experience. He belonged to the
Nebraska Stockgrowers for 60 years and served as Chairman of the Western Nebraska area. He served
on the State Water Board and even won the State Award for Ditching on his ranch. Johnny was the REA
Country Telephone repairman for many years and helped establish the original phone lines. He was the
rural fire chief for 2 terms and was responsible to keep all equipment ready for an emergency. He sang
at many funerals and weddings in the area, even riding in the hearse to sing for out of town funerals. He
loved his family, his ranch and his community giving them all he had to give. He will be missed.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 16 at 10:00 AM at the First Christian Church on 9th and Box
Butte Avenue. Pastor Kent Steinke will officiate. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 15 at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Memorials may be sent to the First Christian Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.