Mary Louise Friesz
October 3, 1918 — January 28, 2009
Mary Louise (Alten) Friesz, much loved mother and grandmother of Newark, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at Riverside Hospital in Columbus.
Mary, age 90, was called by her middle name, Louise, by friends and family. Louise was born October 3, 1918 in Lorain, Ohio to the late Rose Isabelle (McGee) and Walter William Alten. Louise was the third generation to grow up working in the family business, Alten Hardware, in Lorain. She furthered her education at Flora Stone Mather which later became Case Western Reserve. During WWII, Louise served her country as a SPAR in the U.S. Coast Guard. Louise was a devout Catholic, a person of deep faith. Her children will always remember her curious and intelligent mind, uncanny memory with numbers, and strong, happy spirit.
Surviving are her five children and spouses, Rebecca of Newark, Arthur of San Diego, CA, Robert and wife Gabrielle of Westerville, Paul and wife Claire of Worcester, MA, and Barbara and husband Thomas of Walnut Creek, CA; seven grandchildren, Mary E., Katie, David, Mariah, Gwendolyn, Eric, and Wesley; and her sister, Marjorie J. Wilt of Claremont, CA.
In addition to her parents, Louise was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Elmo W. Friesz, who died in 1992; and three sisters, Virginia M. Alten, Rose Mary Deckel, and Marcella Stack.
Friends may call 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, February 1, 2009 at the McPeek-Hoekstra Funeral Home, 133 S. Prospect St., Granville. To sign an online guest book or send condolences, visit www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Louise will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday at The Church of St. Edward the Confessor, 785 Newark-Granville Road, Granville, with Monsignor Paul P. Enke as celebrant. Burial will follow at Newark Memorial Gardens.