Summer M. Freer

Summer M. Freer, age 48, of Chisago City, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

Born on March 5, 1978, in Stillwater, Summer was the beloved daughter of her parents Jessie and Dennis Benson and Greg and Cheryl Freer. She attended Hudson High School and built a career defined by dedication, professionalism, and service to others.

Summer began her career with the Minnesota Department of Corrections in 2003 as an Office Specialist in the Human Resources Staffing Unit. Shortly after, she took on additional responsibilities in the Office Services Unit as a Customer Service Specialist, skillfully balancing dual roles in both Human Resources and Office Services. In 2004, she advanced to a Customer Service Specialist Senior position with MINNCOR Industries, where she provided administrative and customer support within the agency’s industry division.

Her career continued to flourish in 2007 when she joined the Office of Special Investigations as an Office and Administrative Specialist, supporting sensitive investigative operations. In 2010, Summer expanded her expertise by accepting a temporary appointment with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst before returning to the DOC the following year in a promoted Criminal Intelligence Analyst role.

In 2018, Summer transitioned into a Management Analyst 1 position, where her knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and steady leadership supported department-wide initiatives. In 2023, she received a Letter of Commendation from Commissioner Paul Schnell in recognition of her committed leadership and dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuing her professional growth, Summer was promoted to Management Analyst 2 in 2024, contributing to complex organizational analysis, program evaluation, and operational improvement efforts. Throughout her career, she earned the deep respect of colleagues and friends through her intelligence, reliability, compassion, and calm presence.

In 2007, Summer met Joe Ryan. Joe was not beginning a nearly 20 year relationship with a partner, but with 2 beautiful kids that he went on to raise as his own. And just one year later they welcomed a third that completed their family.

Summer found joy in life’s simple comforts and creative moments. She loved crafting, making homemade soaps, baking sourdough bread, and caring for her beloved animals. She had a personality that naturally drew people in — bright, warm, comforting, quirky, goofy, sweet, and endlessly kind. Her sense of humor and caring spirit left lasting impressions on everyone lucky enough to know her.

Above all else, Summer loved her children fiercely. They were the center of her world, and she would have done absolutely anything for them. Her love, support, and devotion as a mother will remain with them always.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Al and Lorna Freer, Robert Nelson, and Jean Johnson; and former father-in-law, Richard John.

Summer will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her children, Ferah (Tay Taylor) John, Kiley (Micah) Headley, and Joey Ryan; her partner, Joe Ryan; her cherished four-legged companions, Hobbes, Ruby, and Zoey; her mother, Jessica (Dennis) Benson; her father, Greg (Cheryl) Freer; siblings, Rebecca (Evripidis) Intzempelis, Josh (Rachel) Benson, and Sean Favorite; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives she touched so deeply.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Mattson Funeral Home in Forest Lake, MN. Visitation with the family will take place from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service.