Louise L. Hedrick

In Loving Memory of Louise L. Hedrick

August 3, 1936 – October 29, 2025

Louise Lau Hedrick went lovingly into the arms of our Lord on the morning of Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

Born in Milwaukee, Louise brought warmth, elegance, and purpose to everything she touched. A proud alumna of Milwaukee-Downer College, Louise went on to become a force in Milwaukee's performing arts scene. She was one of the founding leaders of the Florentine Opera Company, where she served as an officer and board member for over 20 years. In recognition of her enduring contributions, she was named Life Director in 1989. Her dedication to the arts extended beyond opera - she was also an active supporter of the Bel Canto Chorus, the United Performing Arts Fund, and played an instrumental role in the establishment of what is now the Marcus Performing Arts Center, which opened in 1969.

Louise's creative talents and meticulous eye for beauty found another extraordinary outlet: antique dolls. Not content to simply collect, she became a widely respected figure in the community - known for her museum-quality costume reproductions, her historical expertise, and her generous spirit as a teacher and mentor. She exhibited and taught at national conventions, wrote for collector publications, and became a beloved fixture in the world of antique doll artistry.

But it was her family that brought Louise her deepest joy. She was the loving wife of the late Robert Hedrick and is preceded in death by her sons Mark David and Kenneth Charles. She is survived by her son Michael (Susan) Hedrick, her granddaughters Erin Lee (Parker) Smitherman and Leigh Anne (Stephen) Barbush, and her great-grandson James Smitherman. She is also remembered with love by her daughter-in-law Diana Combs and is preceded in death by her brother David Lau.

To those who knew her, Louise was a woman of grace and conviction, with a sense of humor that could both charm and disarm. She loved a good aria, a well-cut piece of lace, and the company of friends gathered around her dining room table. She was, in every sense, a woman who curated a life of beauty, intellect, and connection.

The family is deeply grateful to Patti Winter and Laura Lindsey for their dedicated personal care, the assistance of Home Instead, and the exceptional team at Aurora St. Luke's for their support and care in Louise's final months.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Louise's name to the Florentine Opera Company or the Bel Canto Chorus, two organizations that reflect her enduring passions and lifelong service.

Visitation at the Funeral Home on Sunday, November 23, 2025 2PM-4PM. Funeral Service at 4PM. Private family burial at Forest Home Cemetery.