Ethel Lorraine Frey

Ethel Lorraine (McLees) Frey passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at the age of 86. She will be missed immensely by her family and friends.

Ethel was born June 29, 1938, in Genoa, WI, and lived in the La Crosse area for most of her life. She married Thomas Edward Frey on October 14, 1961, and they lived in La Crescent, MN, for many years, until relocating to the Twin Cities area to be near their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Mom was known for her warm smile, her kind heart, and her profound generosity. She taught us many things, including, we do not dwell on regrets, one can always choose to be optimistic, and, whenever possible, all who attend the party should go home with a prize or a gift.

Loved ones who greeted Ethel in heaven included Tom, her husband of over 60 years; her parents, Guy and Martha McLees; her sister, Joyce Morris; and brothers, Don, Bobby, Ray, Kenny, Allan, and Gary McLees.

Loved ones that will miss Ethel every day until they meet again are her sister, Donna (John) Shepherd of Genoa, WI; two sons, Edward (Susan) Frey of Apple Valley, MN, and Eric (Christy) Frey of Lakeville, MN; two daughters, Elizabeth (Jon) Krzykowski of Ladysmith, WI, and Ellen (Peter) Schaub of Eagan, MN; grandchildren, Joanie (Chris) Keil, Nicole (Johannes) Olivier, Crystal (Keith) Creech, Joseph Schaub, Sebastian Schaub, Sophia Frey, and Stella Frey; great-grandchildren, Riana and Joslyn-Robert Olivier, Callahan, Cannon, and Colter Creech, and Kendall Keil. Ethel will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and countless friends.

A Celebration of Life for Ethel will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in La Crosse, WI. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., the service will commence at 11:00. A private burial will be held at a later date.