Louise R. Frailing

Louise Ruth Frailing (nee Hackbarth), age 78 of West Bend, died peacefully on Monday, October 30, 2023 at The Cornerstone Assisted Living in West Bend. She was born March 4, 1945 in Milwaukee to Elroy and Ruth (nee Fehling) Hackbarth. On September 1, 1973 she was united in marriage to Thomas A. Frailing at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.
Louise excelled at Washington High School in Milwaukee and earned a scholarship to attend nursing school. She was a proud graduate of the Milwaukee Lutheran School of Nursing and worked as a nurse at Northwest General Hospital. Louise was instrumental in opening their ICU and became a head nurse. Following her marriage to Tom, they settled in West Bend where she served as a staff nurse at St. Joseph's Community Hospital in their ICU. After the birth of their children, Louise decided to leave her nursing career to raise her boys; being a mother was Louise's greatest joy in life.
Louise absolutely loved singing, whether it was with her church choir or at home. She was always humming a peaceful tune. A prolific baker, Louise was known for her Christmas cookies and pies – particularly her famous rhubarb pie. Baking was just another way for Louise to show her love for her friends and family. When Louise wanted to relax, she enjoyed crafting, stitch kits, needlepoint, and giving her husband a run for his money playing card games. If you ever visited Louise, you know she had a particular fondness for hummingbirds and cardinals; when we see one of these birds, we will remember Louise fondly.
Louise is survived by her husband of 50 years, Thomas, and her children and grandchildren: son Brian Frailing (Sibyl McCarley) of Wauwatosa and their children Georgia and Harrison, and son Eric (Amanda) Frailing of Sun Prairie. She is further survived by her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Gerald Frailing of Appleton, William (Sharon) Frailing of Portage, MI and Michael Frailing of Appleton, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Elroy and Ruth Hackbarth and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Richard (Margaret) Frailing, Robert (Shirley) Frailing, Marilyn (Elmer) Kunstman, Sharon Rose Frailing, Karen Frailing, and Carol Frailing.
A memorial service will be held Friday, November 10, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in West Bend with Pastor Robert Hein and Pastor Paul Janke officiating. Inurnment will follow at Washington County Memorial Park. The family will greet visitors at the church from 12:00 noon until 12:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, directed to the choir or children's music education, or Washington County Habitat for Humanity.
Many thanks to The Cornerstone Assisted Living Home for their five years of gracious and expert care, and to Preceptor Home Health Hospice for their loving help in the last weeks of her life.
The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family. If you would like to leave a message of comfort and condolence please visit www.schmidtfuneralhome.com