M. Grace Lampert Froehlich, age 82, Oshkosh, WI, a child of God, whose spirit, creativity, talent and love will be greatly missed, entered into eternal life on April 22, 2013.
Grace was born Sept. 20, 1930 in Dallas, Texas. Her early years were spent in Oshkosh where she attended grade school. She lived from 1941 to 1945 in the Panama Canal Zone where her father worked as an engineer. She returned to Oshkosh to complete 3 years of high school and graduated from Oshkosh High School. She married Erwin Carl Froehlich in October 1948 and they had six children. She lived in the Chicago area from 1967-1987. In 1987, she and Erwin retired to Pine River area of WI where they lived until 2009 when Grace moved back to Oshkosh to be nearer her husband when his health declined. Grace was a talented actress and singer who played the piano by ear. She was active in musical productions in Chicago, IL, and was a successful nightclub pianist and singer in Chicago. Additionally, she sang and played the piano at Heidle House and Carvers on the Lake, Green Lake, WI. She performed with the Saxeville Players and Green Lake Community Players. After retirement to Pine River, WI, Grace entertained in local nursing homes, private parties and community events. Grace was an avid reader, who wrote poetry and enjoyed creative writing. She loved her family dearly and was devoted to her children. She told wonderful stories and had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. Grace had a strong religious faith that grounded her life. She was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Waupaca where she served as an organist, choir member, and Vestry member. She was a member of the Cursillo community in the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac. In Oshkosh, she was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Grace was preceded in death by her husband Erwin Froehlich in 2009, her daughter Sheila Ann Weber in 2006, and her granddaughter, Cara Weber in 2008. She is survived by her five living children: Margaret Edwards, Albuquerque, NM; Maureen Lewandowski (Bill), Kenosha, WI; Julie Froehlich, Oshkosh, WI; Erwin Froehlich, Oshkosh, WI, and Barbara Finnegan (Tom), Waupaca, WI. In addition, she is survived by two brothers, Dan Lampert (Vera), and Philip Lampert (Helen)- both of Appleton, WI. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Jennifer Lewandoski (Charles); Ben Lewandowski (Lindsey), Philip Weber; Sheila Finnegan-Martinez (Nick); Dan Finnegan; Matt Finnegan; and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 311 Division St., Oshkosh WI today Thursday, April 25, 2013. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the service at 1 p.m. A reception will follow immediately after the service in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to The Day by Day Warming Shelter, 449 High St., Oshkosh WI 54901, telephone # 920-203-4865 in her memory. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank two organizations for the caring, empathic and incredible nursing care provided to our mother during her extended illness: Eden Meadows (Lutheran Homes) and Aurora VNA and Hospice. Special thanks to two very special professionals who enriched our mother’s life and gently prepared her for her death- Stacy Schmidt, RN and Shelley Sedo, Hospice Home Health Aide, both of Aurora Hospice