"Doc"/Lee (Leland) Friedrich joined his "sweetie", Kay (Kathleen) Friedrich on Sunday evening, January 1. He had been receiving the most wonderful care from the staff and volunteers at Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac since Thanksgiving. He was 95 years old.
His life's work was done. Born in Lomira, he received his undergraduate and M.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He married Kay Pearce, a nurse he met while interning in California. He proudly served in World War II. He raised and educated two daughters. He competently cared for people in Brownsville and the surrounding area at the Brownsville Clinic with his partner Michael Ries, M.D. When Dr. Ries retired, he went to Fond du Lac and worked as an urgent care physician for another ten years. In his late eighties and early nineties he lovingly cared for Kay at their home for five years as the symptoms of Alzheimer's progressed until her death.
He always assumed his responsibilities and carried them out with integrity. He was wise in his decision-making and humble about his accomplishments. The privacy of his medical practice never budged. In his earlier years of practice when he was still delivering babies, he would return home from a late night delivery and was asked, "Was it a girl or a boy?" His answer was, "Yes."
There were other loves in his life besides Kay. In addition to his family, friends and members of his community, he loved dogs, his cottage on Anvil Lake in Eagle River, nature (his birds at the bird feeder, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, trees, flowers, monarch butterflies), cars, his home, his poker buddies, the stock market, learning, reading, and playing cribbage. He was proud of being on the board of the Raymond Foundation, named after Dr. Raymond whose practice he took over as a new physician when Dr. Raymond retired. Two years ago he intended to resign but didn't because he said, "They wouldn't let me."
His last two years were highlighted by the loving care and attention that was given to him by Brenda Giza , his "Girl Friday." Somehow, Brenda knew everything. He commonly said, "How does she know that?" Home improvement projects completed by Jason Ziemer, regular meals prepared and delivered by Marysue Michels and her family, dinner engagements with Lorraine, Nancy and Gary More, cocktail hours with Chuck Rhein and neighborly chats with Beano Rusch whom he relied on to mow his yard and plow his driveway, added peace, joy and kindness to his life.
These people also brightened his days with regular visits and emails. They are two nephews, Tim (Mary Jo) and Tom (Debbie) Heidenreiter, a niece, Jill (Don) Bollheimer, Julie Vaughn and Mary Jo Lefeber who brought his dog Casey for visits, even to hospice. He appreciated visits from his pastor, Pastor Kerry Wilson, of Trinity United Methodist Church in Lomira as well as cards and notes sent regularly from members of the congregation. A friend and relative, Agnes Jeager, kept him amused and entertained via email.
He will be remembered and respected by two daughters, Vicki Peterson and Jackie (Dave) Lemen and five grandchildren. They are Thatcher (Jen) Peterson, Jess Peterson, Zachary Peterson, Whitney (Clay) Peterson Kannaka and Lindsay Peterson. Four little girls (great grandchildren) will learn about him one day. They are Lola Peterson, Quinn, Sawyer, and Pressley Kannaka.
Lee was the youngest child of Edward and Clara Friedrich (Lomira). His two older siblings, Mona Heidenreiter (Russell "Buck") /Sheboygan Falls and Russell Friedrich (Dorothy) /Lomira passed away before him.
His family is thankful for the compassion and quality of care he received from Dr. Gary Steele, everyone at Hospice Home of Hope, and the Kietzer-Miller Funeral Home.
There was a private graveside service and a celebration of his life in spring. The family is so appreciative of all the kind words and deeds that were given to him over the past two years and all the visits people made while he was at hospice. He felt remembered, appreciated, cared for and blessed. We saw his wisdom, caring and humor up until the end. He lived a simple life and felt satisfied to have been a small-town doctor from Brownsville.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Leland "Lee" Friedrich, please visit our flower store.
His life's work was done. Born in Lomira, he received his undergraduate and M.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He married Kay Pearce, a nurse he met while interning in California. He proudly served in World War II. He raised and educated two daughters. He competently cared for people in Brownsville and the surrounding area at the Brownsville Clinic with his partner Michael Ries, M.D. When Dr. Ries retired, he went to Fond du Lac and worked as an urgent care physician for another ten years. In his late eighties and early nineties he lovingly cared for Kay at their home for five years as the symptoms of Alzheimer's progressed until her death.
He always assumed his responsibilities and carried them out with integrity. He was wise in his decision-making and humble about his accomplishments. The privacy of his medical practice never budged. In his earlier years of practice when he was still delivering babies, he would return home from a late night delivery and was asked, "Was it a girl or a boy?" His answer was, "Yes."
There were other loves in his life besides Kay. In addition to his family, friends and members of his community, he loved dogs, his cottage on Anvil Lake in Eagle River, nature (his birds at the bird feeder, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, trees, flowers, monarch butterflies), cars, his home, his poker buddies, the stock market, learning, reading, and playing cribbage. He was proud of being on the board of the Raymond Foundation, named after Dr. Raymond whose practice he took over as a new physician when Dr. Raymond retired. Two years ago he intended to resign but didn't because he said, "They wouldn't let me."
His last two years were highlighted by the loving care and attention that was given to him by Brenda Giza , his "Girl Friday." Somehow, Brenda knew everything. He commonly said, "How does she know that?" Home improvement projects completed by Jason Ziemer, regular meals prepared and delivered by Marysue Michels and her family, dinner engagements with Lorraine, Nancy and Gary More, cocktail hours with Chuck Rhein and neighborly chats with Beano Rusch whom he relied on to mow his yard and plow his driveway, added peace, joy and kindness to his life.
These people also brightened his days with regular visits and emails. They are two nephews, Tim (Mary Jo) and Tom (Debbie) Heidenreiter, a niece, Jill (Don) Bollheimer, Julie Vaughn and Mary Jo Lefeber who brought his dog Casey for visits, even to hospice. He appreciated visits from his pastor, Pastor Kerry Wilson, of Trinity United Methodist Church in Lomira as well as cards and notes sent regularly from members of the congregation. A friend and relative, Agnes Jeager, kept him amused and entertained via email.
He will be remembered and respected by two daughters, Vicki Peterson and Jackie (Dave) Lemen and five grandchildren. They are Thatcher (Jen) Peterson, Jess Peterson, Zachary Peterson, Whitney (Clay) Peterson Kannaka and Lindsay Peterson. Four little girls (great grandchildren) will learn about him one day. They are Lola Peterson, Quinn, Sawyer, and Pressley Kannaka.
Lee was the youngest child of Edward and Clara Friedrich (Lomira). His two older siblings, Mona Heidenreiter (Russell "Buck") /Sheboygan Falls and Russell Friedrich (Dorothy) /Lomira passed away before him.
His family is thankful for the compassion and quality of care he received from Dr. Gary Steele, everyone at Hospice Home of Hope, and the Kietzer-Miller Funeral Home.
There was a private graveside service and a celebration of his life in spring. The family is so appreciative of all the kind words and deeds that were given to him over the past two years and all the visits people made while he was at hospice. He felt remembered, appreciated, cared for and blessed. We saw his wisdom, caring and humor up until the end. He lived a simple life and felt satisfied to have been a small-town doctor from Brownsville.