Hazel "Betsy" E. Frerichs

Hazel "Betsy" Frerichs – age 81, of Laurens, formerly of Graettinger, passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2020, at the Pocahontas Community Hospital in Pocahontas, Iowa.

Hazel Elizabeth Baldwin was born on July 24, 1939, at Ayrshire, Iowa. She was the daughter of James and Hazel (Frederick) Baldwin. She graduated from Ayrshire High School in 1957 and then worked as a waitress in Estherville. On January 4, 1959, Betsy was united in marriage to Ed Frerichs at Emmetsburg. The couple lived in the Swea City area until 1967 when they moved to a farm near Graettinger. In 1976, they moved into Graettinger. In addition to helping on the farm, Betsy worked as a waitress in Graettinger. In 2011, Betsy and Ed moved to Laurens. Ed passed away in 2016.

Betsy was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church and the American Legion Auxiliary in Graettinger. She also served on the Graettinger City Council. She enjoyed playing bingo, cards, drawing and painting. She painted many murals around the town of Graettinger.

Survivors include her daughter, Rhonda (David) Smith of DeKalb, MO; son, Randy (Milissa) Frerichs of Laurens; step-son, Mike (Maridan) Nesmoe of Montgomery, MN; six grandchildren, Travis (Stephanie) Higdon, Dustin (Shelly) Higdon, Cody Higdon, Jordyn Smith, Mitch (Amanda) Frerichs and Kelsey (Nick) Rosauer and three great-grandchildren, Kaden Higdon, Quinn Rosauer and Marlee Rosauer.

Betsy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ed; grandson, Jason Higdon; step-son, Wayne Nesmoe and brothers and sisters, Melvin Meng, Evelyn Cullen, Alice Westfall, LeRoy Meng, Hans "Jr." Meng, James Baldwin, Henry Baldwin, Lloyd Baldwin and Ruth Baldwin.