Obituary for Edie Adrienne Brewster Frees
Edie (Edith) Adrienne Brewster Frees, 85
Known affectionately as Grandma, Ma, Mom, Midge, Midgy-Moo, Mooder, Wee-One and especially “Dear”, Edie Frees was loved by her enormous family and life-long friends. Leaving behind over 40 descendants - Edie has left an enduring and memorable impact on this beautiful corner of the world. Edie passed away on January 19, 2021. With Amazing Grace playing in the background, Edie softly left this world to be reunited with her sons and family.
Edie was born on December 17, 1935 in the town of Poygan to Dave and Edna (Zager) Brewster. Edie “lived” her entire life in the Omro area. She attended rural grade school at Knoll School in the town of Poygan and graduated from Omro High School in 1953. Then, on the first day of Spring, Edie married the love of her life - Robert (Bob) Frees on March 20, 1954, in Waukau, Wisconsin. Married for nearly 67 years, they definitely left their mark.
Edie is survived by her husband, Bob Sr., daughters: Cheri (Lonny) Potratz – Omro; Gina (Robert) Jones – Suamico; sons: Bob (Barbara) Frees Jr – Omro; Doug (Diane) Frees – Omro; and Chad (Laurie) Frees- Omro. Edie and Bob have fifteen grandchildren: Katie (David) Karpowitz, Brent (Sara) Frees, Adam (Megan) Potratz, Amy (Eric) Eilers, Jacob (Karly) Potratz, Max Potratz, Genevieve (Adam) Artel, Joel (Megan) Jones, Megan (Brett) Ware, McKenzie (Zach) Parrish, Jennie Frees (Dan Spanbauer), Shawn (Amanda) Kasper-Frees, Mitchell Frees (Amber Liebenow), Michael (Jordyn Drake-Burmania) Frees, Addie Frees, along with step grandchildren Amy (Chris) Nett and Lisa (Michael) Renier. Their great grandchildren include: Ty Karpowitz, Grant and Daniel Frees, Kane and Arya Potratz, Stella, Willow, Rory and Mila Eilers, Ella and Ethan Artel, Gavin, Hudson and Bennett Jones, Evelyn Ware, Olin and Alvie Parrish, and Lilyana Frees, with step great grandchildren, Amber and Chris Jr Nett, Madelin and Faith Renier, and Joey Kasper. In addition to numerous nieces, nephews and friends, Edie is also survived by brother: Gary (Carol) Longworth, sisters-in-law Ellen Frees, Gloria Frees, Janice (Bill) Roeder, Shirley (Wright) Allen. She will be dearly missed by her family and her little dog, Mai Tai.
Preceding her in death were her sons Patrick and Lee Frees, parents Dave Brewster and Edna (Zager Brewster) Longworth, grandparents Fred and Edith Brewster and Reinhold and Carrie Zager, her mother-in-law and father-in-law Wade and Jennie Frees, stepfather Chet Longworth, her sister and brother-in-law Audrey and Floyd Lewellyn and her brothers-in-law Judd Frees and Russell Frees Sr.
Edie had tremendous pride and love for her husband Bob, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and her many dear friends, including, Vernita, Sharon, Nia and so many others. In Edie’s words, they “were her whole world”. Edie passed down her artistic talents, including sewing, crocheting, cooking, and gardening, which are continued with joy by her children and grandchildren. Edie was a fantastic and dedicated cook to the delight of her husband, family and friends! She loved planting flowers and creating a beautiful home, both inside and out. She decorated her home with delight, especially for the holidays, especially making Christmas magical! Edie crocheted numerous afghans and baby blankets for children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She sewed for her family too, from baby clothes, prom dresses, gowns for a Miss Wisconsin contestant to aprons. Edie enjoyed traveling across the United States, especially their trips to Nashville, Branson and Hawaii. Even so, many will remember Edie for her zest for life and fun. She especially enjoyed listening and dancing to country music, including round and square dancing. Edie LOVED to dance! At every family wedding, you would find Edie on the dance floor from the very start to the end of the evening, and always in the arms of her beloved husband (or whomever she dragged out onto the dance floor). She also followed the music of Sweetwater, Led West and other bands, dancing and enjoying life with friends. Edie relished her northern Wisconsin vacations where she camped, fished and relaxed with Bob and family. She especially looked forward to the family campouts and holiday get-togethers. Edie loved the Cubbies and Wisconsin Badger Football. She was also an ardent Favre fan, wearing his jersey from all three teams.
Edie worked at various positions throughout her life while raising their children. Edie retired from Bethel Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh as an Administrative Assistant in 2001. Edie received the same compassionate care from the staff at Bethel in her last days, as she so lovingly gave to others for over 25 years. The family is grateful to so many “angels” at Bethel, including Catherine, Sue, Laura, Kathy, and Kingsley, along with Ascension Hospice staff, especially Lisa and Joy, and her dear friend, Dr. Heinzen.
Due to the Covid19 pandemic, Edie requested that her service and celebration take place this spring when all the flowers are in bloom. Officiating at the funeral will be nephew, Pastor Russ Frees Jr.
Known affectionately as Grandma, Ma, Mom, Midge, Midgy-Moo, Mooder, Wee-One and especially “Dear”, Edie Frees was loved by her enormous family and life-long friends. Leaving behind over 40 descendants - Edie has left an enduring and memorable impact on this beautiful corner of the world. Edie passed away on January 19, 2021. With Amazing Grace playing in the background, Edie softly left this world to be reunited with her sons and family.
Edie was born on December 17, 1935 in the town of Poygan to Dave and Edna (Zager) Brewster. Edie “lived” her entire life in the Omro area. She attended rural grade school at Knoll School in the town of Poygan and graduated from Omro High School in 1953. Then, on the first day of Spring, Edie married the love of her life - Robert (Bob) Frees on March 20, 1954, in Waukau, Wisconsin. Married for nearly 67 years, they definitely left their mark.
Edie is survived by her husband, Bob Sr., daughters: Cheri (Lonny) Potratz – Omro; Gina (Robert) Jones – Suamico; sons: Bob (Barbara) Frees Jr – Omro; Doug (Diane) Frees – Omro; and Chad (Laurie) Frees- Omro. Edie and Bob have fifteen grandchildren: Katie (David) Karpowitz, Brent (Sara) Frees, Adam (Megan) Potratz, Amy (Eric) Eilers, Jacob (Karly) Potratz, Max Potratz, Genevieve (Adam) Artel, Joel (Megan) Jones, Megan (Brett) Ware, McKenzie (Zach) Parrish, Jennie Frees (Dan Spanbauer), Shawn (Amanda) Kasper-Frees, Mitchell Frees (Amber Liebenow), Michael (Jordyn Drake-Burmania) Frees, Addie Frees, along with step grandchildren Amy (Chris) Nett and Lisa (Michael) Renier. Their great grandchildren include: Ty Karpowitz, Grant and Daniel Frees, Kane and Arya Potratz, Stella, Willow, Rory and Mila Eilers, Ella and Ethan Artel, Gavin, Hudson and Bennett Jones, Evelyn Ware, Olin and Alvie Parrish, and Lilyana Frees, with step great grandchildren, Amber and Chris Jr Nett, Madelin and Faith Renier, and Joey Kasper. In addition to numerous nieces, nephews and friends, Edie is also survived by brother: Gary (Carol) Longworth, sisters-in-law Ellen Frees, Gloria Frees, Janice (Bill) Roeder, Shirley (Wright) Allen. She will be dearly missed by her family and her little dog, Mai Tai.
Preceding her in death were her sons Patrick and Lee Frees, parents Dave Brewster and Edna (Zager Brewster) Longworth, grandparents Fred and Edith Brewster and Reinhold and Carrie Zager, her mother-in-law and father-in-law Wade and Jennie Frees, stepfather Chet Longworth, her sister and brother-in-law Audrey and Floyd Lewellyn and her brothers-in-law Judd Frees and Russell Frees Sr.
Edie had tremendous pride and love for her husband Bob, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and her many dear friends, including, Vernita, Sharon, Nia and so many others. In Edie’s words, they “were her whole world”. Edie passed down her artistic talents, including sewing, crocheting, cooking, and gardening, which are continued with joy by her children and grandchildren. Edie was a fantastic and dedicated cook to the delight of her husband, family and friends! She loved planting flowers and creating a beautiful home, both inside and out. She decorated her home with delight, especially for the holidays, especially making Christmas magical! Edie crocheted numerous afghans and baby blankets for children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She sewed for her family too, from baby clothes, prom dresses, gowns for a Miss Wisconsin contestant to aprons. Edie enjoyed traveling across the United States, especially their trips to Nashville, Branson and Hawaii. Even so, many will remember Edie for her zest for life and fun. She especially enjoyed listening and dancing to country music, including round and square dancing. Edie LOVED to dance! At every family wedding, you would find Edie on the dance floor from the very start to the end of the evening, and always in the arms of her beloved husband (or whomever she dragged out onto the dance floor). She also followed the music of Sweetwater, Led West and other bands, dancing and enjoying life with friends. Edie relished her northern Wisconsin vacations where she camped, fished and relaxed with Bob and family. She especially looked forward to the family campouts and holiday get-togethers. Edie loved the Cubbies and Wisconsin Badger Football. She was also an ardent Favre fan, wearing his jersey from all three teams.
Edie worked at various positions throughout her life while raising their children. Edie retired from Bethel Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh as an Administrative Assistant in 2001. Edie received the same compassionate care from the staff at Bethel in her last days, as she so lovingly gave to others for over 25 years. The family is grateful to so many “angels” at Bethel, including Catherine, Sue, Laura, Kathy, and Kingsley, along with Ascension Hospice staff, especially Lisa and Joy, and her dear friend, Dr. Heinzen.
Due to the Covid19 pandemic, Edie requested that her service and celebration take place this spring when all the flowers are in bloom. Officiating at the funeral will be nephew, Pastor Russ Frees Jr.