Lenore Edith Fromm Duersten Wade, age 92, of Merrill, died Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at Bell Tower Residence under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services with family and friends by her side.
She was born May 23, 1920 in Merrill, the daughter of the late Edward and Alice (Frederick) Fromm. She married Leo C. Duersten in Mequon in 1945. He preceded her in death. In 1958 she married Dr. Chester E. Wade in Mequon. He also preceded her in death.
Lenore attended Maple Grove School through the 8th grade. She then attended Milwaukee Downer School for Girls and after graduating with honors, she attended and graduated from Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass. Lenore then attended the University of Chicago, working toward a graduate degree in Psychology. She was then employed by Fromm Brothers Inc. in the New York office. Lenore became a mother and homemaker before returning to Wisconsin and rejoining Fromm Brothers Inc. in 1969, retiring in 1979. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, LCMS, in the town of Hamburg, where she was involved in Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, holding positions of President, Vice President and Secretary as well as serving on the church Building Committee. Lenore initiated and ran the Church Library and was essential in obtaining the right for women to vote in the church during the early 1970’s. She was also involved in Adult Choir for over 71 years and organized and directed the youth choir (Y.A.C./T.H.E.M.). Lenore designed and contributed the etched glass windows that adorn St. John’s church today. She created and ran the Summer Arts Workshop (S.A.W.) for youth in the church. Dedicated to preserving local history, Lenore organized and donated extensive historical documents and materials from Fromm Brothers Inc. to the Marathon County Historical Society. At one time, Fromm Brothers Inc. was the largest producer of fox, mink and ginseng in the world. For more information on this innovative company, contact www.frommhistory.org or obtain the book “Bright with Silver” by Katherine Pinkerton. Lenore was also involved in the Marathon County Library system at Little Chicago as a volunteer. Lenore had served as a board member of the former Bank of Athens during the late 1970’s. She enjoyed music, reading, writing, playing the piano and singing.
Survivors include her children: Leora Corinth, Evanston, IL; Althea Duersten, New York, NY; Martha (J. Kevin) Duersten-Pettit, Dublin, OH; Chester Fromm Wade, Noren Fromm, New York, NY; and Peter (Carla) Fromm Wade, Merrill; seven grandchildren: Robin Sullivan, David and Benjamin Saslow, Wesley and Jacob Pettit, Jasmin and Brandon Wade; one great-grandson: Joshua Sullivan; two sisters: Doris Tead, St Paul, MN; and Johanna Buscher, Lake Wales, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Leo and second husband, Chester.
Services will be held 11AM Saturday, October 20th at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hamburg. The Rev. Jim Klug will officiate. Friends may call from 4-8 PM Friday evening at Waid Funeral Home and again from 10AM until the time of service at the church Saturday. Burial will follow in St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, town of Hamburg. Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online tributes may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.