Elsbeth Freitag, age 85, passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at the Monroe Clinic Hospital. She was born on July 17, 1936, the daughter of Rufus and Mary Bess (Herrick) Freitag in Champaign/Urbana, IL.

During WWII, Elsbeth and her family moved to Bayonne, NJ, while her father served in the U.S. Navy. Following the war her father began working for Northwestern Mutual Life in the southwest U.S .; as a result, the family moved to San Marino, CA, where she grew up. Elsbeth attended college at the University of Colorado and graduated from Cal State Los Angeles. Elsbeth was an elementary school teacher for many years, teaching in South Pasadena, CA. Around 2004, following her retirement, she moved back to Wisconsin to be nearer her roots at the Freitag Farm, and further her connection to family history. Elsbeth was a compassionate and caring soul. She sought opportunities to help the less fortunate and the environment around her. She was a member of the Zwingli United Church of Christ in Monticello.

Elsbeth is survived by her children, Antonia (Victor) Mortimer, Dietrich Blade-Freitag, James Lame, and Michael Lame; four grandchildren; sister, Barbara McPhee; a niece; and a nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service was held at 1:00 p.m., on Sunday, August 1, 2021, at the Zwingli United Church of Christ, 416 E. Lake Avenue, Monticello, WI, with Rev. Lance Smith officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Highland Cemetery, Monticello, WI.

The Zentner-Beal Funeral Home of New Glarus is assisting the family.

An online memorial with guestbook is available at http://www.bealfuneralhomes.com.