Date Posted: 2013-07-26

Libbie Rae Freeze, 78, of Pleasant Hill, Calif., died quietly in her sleep July 26, 2013 in Pleasant Hill. A graveside service will be held on Aug.12 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, Calif., where she will be placed next to her husband, Robert Freeze.    

Born in Cozad, Libbie grew up around Lexington with her brother, Gordon, and graduated from Lexington High School in 1953. She held various jobs as a bookkeeper, Teletype operator and filing clerk.    

In 1954, she married Robert W. Freeze, a veteran of the Korean Conflict, and they moved west--looking for work—ending up San Diego, Calif., where she worked for a public accountant. A few years later, they relocated north to Livermore, Calif., where, and after a series of jobs, she eventually started her career at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where she worked as a microfilm operator and film processor for 30 years until 1993.     

The couple learned to fly in the early 1960s, with both earning their private pilot licenses. They were active members of the Civil Air Patrol, and even owned a small Cessna airplane based at the Livermore Airport for several years. Starting in the 1970s, she and Robert started raising quarter horses at their ranch in Tracy, Calif., and became active in the Northern California horse show scene.     

In 1994, they retired from work and horses, and moved to Mokelumne Hill, Calif. There, she became active in a number of organizations including the Lion's Club, VFW, International Questers and volunteered at the local library.     

She had recently moved to Pleasant Hill to be closer to her family and had been living an active life with her dog Sugar, whom she took on frequent walks and was a familiar sight in the neighborhood.     

She is survived by her son, Kenneth L. (Michele) Freeze of Martinez, Calif, and her three grandchildren, Christopher L. Freeze, Sarah Furtado and Ann Furtado. Preceding her in death were her husband of 53 years, Robert, and her daughter, Deborah E. Furtado.     

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in her name to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation of Frederick, Md. or Lions International. Connolly and Taylor in Martinez, Calif., is in charge of the arrangements.