Funeral services for Freeman Paquet, 78 of Mobridge will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Kesling Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Friday, July 28 from 10:00 am until Noon at the funeral home. Interment with military honors by American Legion Post #4 will be held at Greenwood Cemetery.

Freeman Richard "Ricky" Paquet, 78, of Mobridge, S.D. passed away peacefully on July 15, 2023, after a long battle with Pancreatic Cancer. He was at home surrounded by his family who all loved him dearly.

Freeman was born October 18, 1944, in Vallejo, CA. to Freeman Paquet Jr. who was killed two months before Freeman was born while serving in WWll, and to Francis "Betty" Davidson (Duttkie) who remarried later to James Davidson both of whom are deceased. Freeman was the oldest of the two. Betty and James had a child of their own, Marget "Piggy" Davidson (Zapara), yes Piggy is what Freeman called his sister. She was married to Randy Zapara. Both of whom are both deceased.

Freeman enlisted in the Navy and was eager to serve like his father before him who had received a huge honor, which was a purple heart medal. Another honor of Freeman's father is having the "Paquet" tennis court as well as "Paquet" bachelor hall which are both located in Hawaii named after him. Freeman served in the Navy studying Liberal Arts from June 12, 1962, to September 2, 1966. Freeman Earned a National Defense Service medal during his time of service. Freeman worked at PG&E while living in Ca., he then moved to WY. where he worked at Kermcee Coal Mine for a short time, only to move back to Ca. where he went to work for Bay Bars Binders as a foreman for many years. In 1994 he moved his family to Mobridge, S.D. where he ended up working for BNSF railroads as a welder until retiring in January 2009.

After he retired, he was able to spend more time doing the things that he enjoyed, like fishing, hunting, haying, snow removal, mowing lawns, and welding. He became a Reverend Deacon on May 25, 2014, at Sacred Word church in Mobridge, S.D. where he officiated until the time of his death.

On November 5, 1966, Freeman married the love of his life, his "Lovely Bride", Darlene "Stugie" Stuglemyer. Freeman and Darlene raised a family of all girls. The oldest of the three was Susan Paquet who is deceased. The second daughter Mariah Paquet, (James Tolly) whom he considered a son & best friend. Out of this union, two grandsons Joseph Freeman Paquet-Tolly & Michael Jason Paquet-Tolly. The third daughter Yolanda "Yo-Yo" Paquet, and her fur baby, Raisin. He was a fathering figure and a role model to many throughout his life.

Freemans family is grateful for the VA, Sacred Word, and Kesling Funeral Home, whom have all been of great help with the arrangements for Freeman. A Visitation for Freeman will be held at Kesling Funeral Home on Friday July 28, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Funeral services will be held Friday July 28, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Kesling Funeral Home. The burial for Freeman will be at Greenwood Cemetery following the ceremony. Freeman's family would like to thank Paster Dale Hamre who will be giving the service, DeVonne Schuh who will be playing the piano and the Pallbearers: James Tolly, Joseph Paquet-Tolly, Michael Paquet-Tolly, Dan Anderson, Bryant Traxinger, & Robert Banik.