Obit: Frei, Joseph (1865 - 1937)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Frei, Oerthlei, Albrecht

----Sources: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 16 Dec. 1937

Frei, Joseph (12 March 1865 - 10 Dec. 1937)

Joseph Frei was born March 12, 1865, at St. Gallon, Switzerland, and passed away at Winnebago state hospital December 10, 1937.

He came to America in 1881, living at Monticello until 1901 when he and his father came to Clark County. They purchased a farm near Granton where they resided for some time.

In 1908 Mr. Frei was united in marriage to Mrs. Seraphina Oerthlei. Both Mr. and Mrs. Frei were excellent farmers and delighted in this work. They owned farms at various times in the town of Levis, York and Pine Valley and in each of these communities gained the friendship and deep respect of their neighbors.

He was a kindly gentleman, a loving husband and an ideal father. The only child in the home loved and respected him as her own father.

In 1935 Mr. Frei fell from his buggy to the pavement at the condensary, receiving head injuries that at first seemed only minor, but proved to be direct cause of his death. Later Mr. and Mrs. Frei became members of the Lutheran Althenheim at Wauwatosa, but as his condition grew worse he was removed to the Winnebago State Hospital.

He is survived by his wife and a step-daughter, Mrs. Richard Albrecht, a brother, Jake, residing in the state of New York and a number of nephews and nieces.

The funeral was held from the Altenheim chapel Monday, burial taking place in the Wauwatosa cemetery. Mrs. Frei, who had been visiting her daughter and family here, and her son-in-law, Richard Albrecht, attended the funeral, Mrs. Frei remaining at the home.