Longboat Key Obituaries: April 13, 2017

Anna Howell

Anna Blanton Howell, 92 died April 5.

She graduated from Margaret Hall School in Versailles, Ky., and Randolph Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Va. There, she was the president of Chi Omega sorority, and later in Louisville she was the president of the Chenowith PTA and The National Society of Colonial Dames in Kentucky. She served two terms as alumni representative for RMWC. She taught at Eastern High School in Jefferson County, Ky.

She was Kentucky’s member of the board of Dumbarton House in Washington, D.C., and the chair of Liberty Hall for three years before moving to Longboat Key. She created a trust for the restoration of the Blanton House.

She was the daughter of James Bacon Blanton and Ida Roberts Blanton and the sister of Alice Bacon Blanton. She was the wife of Dr. Robert Sherley Howell, the mother of Robert Jr., James Blanton and Alice “Lissy” Bacon and the grandmother of seven grandchildren.

Joan Maus

Joan Elizabeth Maus died March 28. 

She was born in Covington, Ky., to Clemens and Cedora Deters.

Joan was a graduate of La Salette Academy in 1953, and she also studied at Xavier University. She married James B. Maus on Sept. 3, 1955. She was active in Catholic parishes and schools in various locations and in church choirs for 45 years. With a partner, Joan opened and operated the Fairfield Wine and Cheese Co. in Lancaster, Ohio, until the family moved to Minneapolis in 1981.

After retiring, Joan and Jim traveled extensively and rehabbed an original cottage on Longboat Key where they lived until moving to Norfolk, Va., in 2000.

Joan is survived by her husband, seven children, 12 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and her dog, Bess.

Donations can be made to The Ronald McDonald House Charities online at rmhc.org or by mail to Ronald McDonald House Charities Inc, 26345 Network Place, Chicago, IL 60673.

Jerry Friesch

Jerry Friesch, 89, of Mequon, Wis., died March 10.

He graduated from Wauwatosa High School where he played basketball and ran track, earning the W Club award. He served in the U.S. Navy following high school.

Jerry attended the University of Wisconsin and was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. He graduated in 1950 with a business degree.

He had a career in the corrugated-box business. In 1961 he co-founded and served as president of Great Lakes Packaging. He enjoyed traveling, especially to England, Scotland and Longboat Key. He enjoyed attending family sporting events and loved golf. He was a 43-year member of the Ozaukee Country Club.

He is survived by his wife, Susann; his children Mark, Andy and John; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and his brother, Tom.

Donations can be made to Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 6031 West Chapel Hill Road, Mequon, WI 53097, or Aurora Hospice Care-Zilber Family Hospice, 1155 Honey Creek Parkway, Wauwatosa, WI 53213.

Susie Glasser

Susie Glasser died April 4. She was born in Lawrence County, Ill.

Susie met her first husband, Robert Sprintz, in Miami. In her spare time, Susie modeled and appeared in a few movie roles as well as “The Beachcomber” television series. She volunteered as a pink lady at the Orange Memorial Hospital and wrote letters to soldiers overseas during World War II. Eventually, she moved to Orlando, where she worked alongside her husband at their women’s clothing store. She was also a buyer for Jordan Marsh Department Stores. It was also in Orlando where she had her three children; Gregg, Terri and Glenn.

She met her second husband, James W. Glasser, in the 1960s, and they moved to Longboat Key. She enjoyed boating, fishing, golf, walking the beach, shelling and spending time with friends and family.

After living on Longboat for years, she moved back to Illinois, then moved back to Florida and settled in Bradenton.

Susie is survived by her sister, Wanda, her three children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Elizabeth Louise Ross

Elizabeth Louise Ross, 91, of St. Louis, died March 25.

Known as a fun-loving and forward-thinking wife, mother and friend, Elizabeth also made time for community involvement. She served on Boards of National Council of Jewish Women, Council of Community Organizations and United Way. She taught remedial reading to elementary students at Gallaudet School and studied philosophy and psychology in lifelong learning classes at Washington University. She enjoyed spending time on Longboat Key, riding horses in the country and watching old movies.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association of St. Louis, the National Council of Jewish Women or Clayton Century Foundation.

Margaret Irene Gunkel ‘Woodie’ Seehafer

Margaret Irene Gunkel “Woodie” Seehafe, 93, died on March 27.

She was born to Frederick and Ethel Gunkel in Madison, Wis. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison after majoring in economics and psychology. She earned her MSW from the University of Minnesota in 1949 and then served as a psychiatric social worker for the university.

Woodie entered the doctoral program at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and worked at the university’s department of medicine. She joined the Illinois Department of Mental Health in the 1960s. Later,  she taught at the School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She retired to Longboat Key, where she spent many years with her family. Woodie will be remembered for her distinctive laugh. She loved to read and had a keen political mind and a sharp eye for modern design.

She is survived by her son Douglas Diamond; brother Ted Gunkel; two grandchildren and one great grandchild. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, Ala. 36104.