Frances Von der Ehe

Frances May Cleveland-von der Ehe, our dear mother, went to be with Jesus on March 16th, 2017.

Funeral Services are 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Christian Life Fellowship in Port Edwards, WI. Rev. Jeff O’Connor will officiate. Visitation will be at Christian Life Fellowship on Tuesday from 9:30-11:00 AM. Burial will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday, March 22, 2017 Pewaukee Village Cemetery in Pewaukee, WI. Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids, WI is assisting the family.

Born February 24, 1929 in Chicago Ill to Martha Annette Stein- Cleveland and Orin Byron Cleveland.

Frances had a younger sister, Audrey Lorraine Cleveland who died of pneumonia at 18 months of age.

Known for loving God and her family. Frances attended National College of Education, Chicago Teacher’s Collage in Chicago Ill., Carthage College in Kenosha, WI and UW Steven’s Point.  She married Carl Max von der Ehe on January 15, 1949 in Chicago, Ill.  They had 4 children together, Erwin James von der Ehe, Walter Carl von der Ehe, Ralph Paul von der Ehe and Martha Ann von der Ehe-Mann. After all of her children were in school she began her teaching career. She taught elementary school in Kenosha, WI, Neillsville, WI, and Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

Frances thought of herself as a “preacher’s wife” as she and Carl traveled to many churches to share the Good news of Jesus Christ.

 Frances and Carl moved to Tampa, Florida in 1977 and worked at a Western Clothing store and then as a computer electrical harness builder until her retirement in 1991. After her retirement, Frances and Carl bought a home and moved to Tomah, WI. After Carl died in December 1997, Frances moved to Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

Frances had several hobbies; she enjoyed gardening, reading and especially horses. She was a key person in developing the Rapids Riders 4H Club to help children with the “Horse and Pony Project” (both those with their own horses and the horseless rider) in Wisconsin Rapids. She was knowledgeable in training and care of horses and enjoyed helping others to do so.

 In her later years she enjoyed crocheting afghans, doing crossword puzzles. Frances liked being with friends and playing cards and bingo. Her last years were spent at Arborwood Lodge where she was known as “the puzzle lady” for all the jigsaw puzzles she completed while enjoying life there.

Thanks, Mom for your life of love. We will miss you until we meet again.