Barbara J. Friese

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Barbara Friese, who entered into the presence of the Lord on February 14, 2026, at the age of 85. Born May 1, 1940, in Sigourney, Iowa, she was the second of seven children. Growing up on a farm, she was just as comfortable driving a tractor in the fields as she was teaching her younger siblings to ride their first bicycles. Always active and involved, she excelled with 4-H and her high school basketball team. 

After graduating, Barbara moved to the "big city" of Minneapolis to attend secretarial college. She then relocated to Chicago, where she began working at the C&NW Railway. It was there, at a company social event, that she met Wally, the love of her life. They married and started a family, welcoming their three children, Eddie, Diane, and Christine. When the children entered their teenage years, the family moved to their home where they lived for over 40 years. Barbara took pride in keeping the home and garden beautiful. Spring was her favorite time, when she started planning and tending her garden. Summer was always a time of garden-fresh treats for the whole family. 

Barbara worked a variety of part time jobs while she and Wally raised their family. Her many creative activities included crocheting and knitting beautiful potholders for the family and afghans for donation. She loved to design and sew Halloween costumes for her and Wally to surprise the grandchildren, and her homemade valentines are a treasured memory of Grandma's creative side. Her holiday baked goods were always a special treat for the family. She has been blessed with great friends, enjoying events with the St. Robert's Women's Club and Common Threads, Novel Needles, and the NP seniors. Barbara will again be at the side of Wally, her husband of 60+ years, as they are reunited in the light of Christ. 

She leaves behind a legacy of love, survived by her devoted children: Edward (Mary), Diane (Jay) Fischer, and Christine. She was the proud and cherished grandmother of Nathan (Allison), Zach, and Meagan Friese; and Drew, Troy, and Toby Fischer. She is survived by her siblings: Larry (Rhonda) Wehr, Helen (Emory) Westcott, John (the late Diana) Wehr, and Leo (Sonya) Wehr; as well as many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ambrose and Dorothy Wehr, and her siblings, Mary Ann Edwards and Richard Wehr. As a devoted mother and grandmother, she was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 20, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lawrence Funeral Home, 4800 N Austin Ave., Chicago, IL 60630.

Funeral Prayers will be on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. with procession to follow to St. Robert Bellarmine Church for 10 a.m. funeral service. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.