Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
John Freeman
RITZVILLE – A local businessman died unexpectedly last week due to a medical emergency.
John Freeman, 51, co-owner of Cow Creek Mercantile and Café, experienced a medical emergency Jan. 19 at the café and passed away.
Freeman and his partner Arne Braaten took ownership of Cow Creek Mercantile and Café at 1611 S. Smittys Blvd. in January 2021, and operated the popular local business for a little over a year.
Freeman ran the restaurant side of the establishment.
From a Jan. 26, 2021 story in The Journal, "It's been a dream of mine to own a cafe just like this, since I was probably 14," said Freeman, who hadn't worked in the restaurant industry previously. "It's just something that I've always had that little desire to do."
Reader Comments(1)
Clauman writes:
This is my younger brother and our family is thankful for the love & support John was shown from so many wonderful people in both Ritzville and the City of Lind. When they were relocating from the Seattle/Tacoma area, I was somewhat apprehensive about how he and Arne might fit into small town life. I soon learned there was absolutely nothing to fear. John was more relaxed and happy than I had seen him in several years. John was a fabulous cook & hobbyist baker from a very young age…but his professional life was largely spent at Microsoft in executive administration support. Eventually he realized a less-intense, kinder pace in life was needed… and that’s how he and Arne landed in your neck-of-the-woods. I am so happy he could experience his dream of restaurant ownership while meeting so many warm & caring people during these last few years. Thank you Ritzville Journal for the nice writeup about my much-loved younger brother John. Cindy Lauman- Tacoma WA
01/27/2022, 2:58 pm