Marie H. Frings (nee Duenkel), 93, of the town of Barton, died on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, at her residence.

She was born on Sept. 14, 1917, in the old village of Barton to the late Arthur and Anna (nee Schneider) Duenkel. Marie went to grade school at St. Mary’s in Barton and high school but had to leave to go to work during the Depression. On Aug. 31, 1940, she was united in marriage to Walter C. Frings at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Church, West Bend.

For a period of time Marie worked at Enger Kress until she got married. She raised a family and made beanbags for the Ol’ King Kole Bean Bag Games. She went to work at B.C. Ziegler in 1959. She retired from there in 1984.

Marie enjoyed her family most of all and shared her interest in camping, needlework, gardening and photography with them. Above all, she was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Marie and Walter were 4-H and Scout leaders, and were also members of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Marie was a Big Sister to Penny Sorenson. Marie was a long-time member of the Women of the Moose and has been a member of the Christian Women’s Society for more than 40 years.

Survivors include her four children, Eileen (Richard) Miller of Mayville, Steven (Mary) of Waupaca, Ginny (David) Larson of Marenisco, Mich., Julie (David) Mundt of Sussex; a daughter-in-law Carol (Al) Krause of Arpin; 11 grandchildren, Christine (Tom) Hilt of Sheboygan, Brenda Bowser (special friend, Ryan) of West Bend, Jeff (Deanna) Frings of West Allis, Sandy (Tom) Dyer of Beaver Dam, Mike (Carol) Frings of Wausau, Mark Frings of Denver, Colo., Sarah (Adam) Netys of Mayville, Jeremy (Bridgette) Kasprzyk of Chesterfield, Va., Jennifer Kasprzyk of Sussex, Andrew Mundt (special friend, Tiffany Severson) of Allenton and Ariel Mundt of Sussex; eight great-grandchildren, Jazzelle Peters, Zachary Dyer, Abigail, David, Jonathan, Julia and Kara Kasprzyk and Sebastian Hilt; a brother, Ralph (Phyllis) Duenkel of West Bend; a sister, Ruth Bruesch of West Bend; sisters-in-law, Eileen Duenkel of West Bend, Marcella Vass of West Bend; brother- and sister-in-law, Paul and Carol Frings of West Bend; a very special life-long friend, Grace Hickens of Pewaukee; and other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death are a daughter, Marie Ann in 1947; a son, Richard, in 1977; a grandson, Brian Bowser in 1983; her husband, Walter in 2003; her parents; and brothers, Edward, Arthur Jr., Carl and Albert.

Visitation will be held at Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend on Monday, Jan. 24, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a prayer vigil at 7 p.m., and also on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church of West Bend. Funeral services will be held, with a Mass of Christian burial Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church of West Bend. The Rev. Nathan Riesman will be the presider, and burial will follow in Holy Angels Cemetery.

Masses or memorials are appreciated.

Marie’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the following: Dr. Herdrich, Jill, Sheila and Sue; Heartland Hospice, Ryan, Brenna, Catherine, Chaplain Cindy, Dave, Sheri, Barb, Desiree, Eileen, Ina and Dr. Hurwitz; caregivers (Mom’s "groupies/fan club") Barbie, Sheila, Cindie, Lisa, Kathy, Mary K., Bridget snf Stacey; VFW, Norbie Carter and Nick Harbersetzer; children, grandchildren and grandson’s special friend Tiffany Severson; Mom’s extra special neighbors, Gail and Pat Brown and Diane and Mark Fechter, who were always there for Mom and the family in many ways. All of these people made it possible for Mom to stay at home and be comfortable and happy.