Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Alice Ballard Freitag Kau (September 12, 2014)

Alice Ballard Freitag Kau age 97, passed away at 2:10 A.M. on Friday, September 12, 2014 at the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio. Alice was born August 26, 1917 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the late Charles & Olga (Sperling) Ballard.

Alice is survived by her son, James Freitag & fiancée, Barbara Smith of Caspian, Michigan; daughter & son-in-law, Carol and R. Michael Williams of Versailles, Ohio with whom she had made her home for the past 14 years; step son, Jerry (Linda) Kau of Roselle, Illinois; step daughters, Diane (George) Jeffs of Algonquin, Illinois, Sheryl (Gene) Olesen of Biloxi, Mississippi and Ruthann (Tom) Berger of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Lisa (Chris) Heidenreich of Versailles, Ohio, Jamie (Kristen) Williams of Dubois, Pennsylvania, Nancy (Randy) Bergemann of Kiel, Wisconsin, Aaron (Patty) Freitag of Sheboygan, Wisconsin and Lynn (Dan) Koblewski of Cedarburg, Wisconsin; 11 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; 8 step grandchildren and 16 step great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to her parents, Alice was also preceded in death by her 1st husband, Harold Freitag in 1987; 2nd husband, Vernon Kau in 1997; brother, William Ballard; granddaughter, Christine Freitag; and step great grandson, Tanner Olesen.

Alice attended school in Sheboygan and graduated from Sheboygan High School in 1934. Alice was an executive secretary for nearly 45 years for G.B. McKinley Inc. in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Alice was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sheboygan; belonged to the Christian Endeavor Group; the Women’s Guild and Sunday school, and in retirement, worked as the church secretary for many years. Alice enjoyed traveling, especially visiting family, reading and writing poetry. Her love of horses spread to the family, and she loved spending time at her granddaughter’s horse farm and wrote one of her poems for it. The family always waited for her beautiful Christmas card poem, which she managed to compose until 2013.

A memorial service celebrating Alice’s life will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin with Rev. Dr. Richard C. Manny officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to time of service at the church. Per Alice’s wish, there will be no viewing. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contribution be made to the Brethren Retirement Community Resident Aid Fund 750 Chestnut Street Greenville, Ohio 45331 or State of the Heart Hospice 1350 North Broadway Greenville, Ohio 45331. Arrangements are under the direction of Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville, Ohio. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com