Obituaries

Mary Sue Frieze

Mary Sue (Harrison) Frieze, age 87, of Springfield, Mo., passed away Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at Magnolia Square Nursing Care Center in Springfield, Mo. Mary "Sue" was born on October 23, 1931, in Callaway County, Mo., the oldest child of Waller Bernard Harrison and Nelle Belle Cowan Harrison. She grew up on a farm, familiar with all the farm tasks of caring for livestock and crops. She attended a one room school house, which she traveled to each school day, riding her pony (a fact that caused envy among her children, until she told them that it meant each day during recess she had to care for her pony, rather than playing!) She was active in what is now Old Auxvasse - Nine Mile Presbyterian Church and also participated in 4H. She attended University of Missouri at Columbia, graduating with a degree in Home Economics. While at the University she met Kent Wayne Frieze, of Stockton, Mo. and they married on June 14, 1953 (That is Flag Day, and down the road when there were anniversaries to celebrate, such as their 50th, she requested that the decorations be red, white and blue, rather than the traditional gold.) They set up their first home in Springfield Missouri, where Kent was employed by the City of Springfield Health Department, and Sue worked for about a year as a secretary, prior to the birth of their first child. They had three children, Becky, Mike and Natalie. Sue was a very active and hard-working mother. Besides keeping her household fed and clothed (more about that later) she volunteered as Homeroom Mother, Campfire and Cub Scout leader, PTA activities and many other jobs. Her children never had to wonder if Mom would attend a school concert, play, sporting event or other activity - she would be present, supporting her children. The hours and miles she logged as "taxi" service for the children were immense. Sometime in the early 60's, Sue and Kent were able to add a second car, so she could take the kids where they needed to go: school, Kiwanis baseball, swim lessons, summer band, marching band, Sing Out, Lassie Drum and Bugle Corp - plus many more. Regarding her Home Economics degree, Sue would tell you there are two types of Home Ec majors - those who like to cook, and those who like to sew. She was a good cook, providing nourishing meals for her family, spending many hours each summer canning and preserving vegetables, particularly green beans and tomatoes. It would usually come to a point where she would threaten anyone who brought one more bucket of green beans or tomatoes into the house! Green bean vines can be over productive in a summer of much rain! But she definitely fell into the category of Home Economic majors who like to sew, and she was one of the best ever. Her skills were so far above the level of most people who say "they can sew", that it doesn't seem right to use the same words to describe her talent. She also instilled that love into her daughters, and even into the next generation. Through the years she created clothing for her children, husband, grandchildren and herself, with skill and pride in doing a job well. Sue was of the mind that if you're going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. She expected that of her children, and was proud of their accomplishments all through the years. After the children were married and gone from home, she helped care for her mother-in-law for 10 years, and became active in First Baptist Church of Springfield. There she served in several capacities, but one of her favorite things was having a big part in creating the beautiful worship banners. Over the past few years Sue's health began to fail and she became a resident of Magnolia Square Nursing Care Center. There she received wonderful loving care as a resident for the past 2 years until she left this earth on the morning of December 12, 2018. Now she is whole again and in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We mourn our loss, but know we will see her again. Sue is survived by her husband of 65 years, Kent Frieze of Springfield Mo.; one brother, John Payne Harrison, (spouse Mary) Kingdom City, Mo.; daughters, Becky Frieze Gilbert (spouse Mike) Surprise, Ariz., Natalie Frieze Blacksher (spouse Steve) Ozark, Mo.; and son, Mike Frieze (spouse Diane) Brighton, Mo. Her grandchildren are Kimberly Gilbert Martinson, Jeffrey Gilbert, Justin Frieze, Bethany Frieze Martin, Jared Frieze, Andy Blacksher and Ethan Blacksher. Sue had 13 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 18 at Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 East Walnut St., Springfield. Burial followed at Maple Park Cemetery, Springfield.

Published December 19, 2018