Elise "Lisa" Anne Frese

Elise Anne “Lisa” Frese passed away peacefully in Barrington, Illinois on October 13, 2022. She was born Elise Anne Held on December 8, 1951 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Robert Henry Held and Nancy Pellette Held. Lisa was the eldest of four children in a family that moved frequently; John was born in Chicago and Catherine and Robert Jr. were born in Cleveland. The family later moved to St. Louis where Lisa graduated from high school, then Rochester, New York and southern California. In high school, Lisa was a champion debater and delegate to the Model United Nations. Awarded the prestigious National Merit Scholarship, Lisa attended Northwestern University where she earned an undergraduate degree in English and a Master’s in Counseling. She remained in the Chicagoland area after graduation, working as a college recruiter, teacher and human resource specialist before marrying George Frese, who passed away in 1998.

Lisa served as the president of the Barrington Women’s Club where she was active in raising funds for women’s scholarships. She asked to be remembered as a “bridge player extraordinaire.” An expert bridge player, she earned the coveted “Life Master” designation by playing in competitive tournaments. Lisa and her beloved companion Ed Wolowiec traveled annually for many years to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where they enjoyed friends, fine dining, hosting family and nightly sunset toasts. She was an avid reader. Some of her happiest moments were watching the swans and their young in the marsh by her home. She inspired her fellow patients in her weekly visits to “Chemoville” over the last seven and a half years.

Lisa’s bright spirit will be deeply missed. She was predeceased by her parents and brother Robert. Lisa is survived by Ed and the Port Edward family as well as her brother John, his children Jen (Liz) Movius-Held and Eric (Daun) Held. She is also survived by her brother Robert’s children Justin Storer and Jessica Held and her sister Catherine Held and her children, Alexander and Maria Ptucha, Laura Ptucha-Skoog (Erik), Lindsey Ptucha and three grandchildren.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or click here to donate online.