Obit: Fredrick, Esther P. (1921 - 2009)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Fredrick, Bleuer, Bredlau, Pingel, Becker, Willems, Wirtz, Barker, Lucht, Lauby, Kautz, Jacobson, Rhodes, MacArthur

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) Thursday, 15 Jan. 2009

Fredrick, Esther P. (15 Mar. 1921 - 14 Jan. 2009)

Esther P. Fredrick died peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, at the Hewitt House under Hospice Care. She had resided there for the past year.

Services will be Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hewitt. The Rev. Dean Pingel will officiate. Music will be provided by Sally Becker, organist, and Jan Willems, soloist.

Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great-grandson.

Visitations will be on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home of Marshfield and again Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until service time.

Esther was born March 15, 1921, to Emil and Marie (Bleuer) Bredlau in Sherman Township in Clark County, and she grew up in the Loyal area. Esther married Donald P. Fredrick on June 28, 1941, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hewitt, and they were blessed with 58 years together. He died March 23, 2000. Following their marriage, Don served in the Army during World War II from 1942 to 1945.

Don and Esther lived in Marshfield until Don's retirement from the Marshfield Electric & Water Department, and they then moved to Pray until Don's death, when Esther moved back to the Marshfield area. They often participated in activities with the City Point/Pray Senior Citizen Club. They were faithful members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Esther was a longtime member of the Ladies Aid and sang in the choir for 27 years. For Esther, cleanliness was next to Godliness, and she not only kept her own home spotless, but worked as a housekeeper for several families in her younger years. She was known for her cooking, canning and baking skills, and shared her treats with many people. She had a generous spirit and always took time to share kind words with others.

She is survived by three children, James (Sheila) Fredrick of Cambria, Sharon (Richard) Kautz of Wisconsin Rapids, and Robert (Carol) Fredrick of Marshfield; eight grandchildren, Tammy Kautz of Illinois, Lori (Dan) Jacobson and Rick Kautz both of Wisconsin Rapids; Jeff (Kim) Fredrick of Mindoro, Dan (Christina) Fredrick of Parker, Colo.; Connie (Tim) Rhodes of Marshfield, Carla MacArthur of Spencer, and Bruce Fredrick of Marshfield; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She also is survived by two sisters, Lucille Wirtz of Mallard, Iowa, and Arlene Barker of Marshfield, and four brothers, Robert (Marcie) Bredlau of Owen, Pat (Shirley) Bredlau of Madison, Jerry (Janet) Bredlau of Marshfield, and John (Elaine) Bredlau of Manistique, Mich., and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased in death by her husband, Don, and infant son, Thomas, and infant granddaughter, Nancy, and two sisters, Emily Lucht and Dorothy Lauby.

Memorials may be designated to Immanuel Lutheran Church. Esther's family wishes to thank Deb and the staff at the Hewitt House for the wonderful loving care and support given to their mother and her family.