Mary M. Frater

Mary M. Frater passed away peacefully in the presence of her Family at Oakwood Village on June 28, 2024. She was preceded in death by her Husband Milton Frater on March 1, 2002. Mary was born in Racine, WI, on May 31, 1924 and moved to Watertown in 1938. She attended Watertown Sr High School, where she met Milton. They were married June 27, 1945. Mary and Milton were blessed with six children and six amazingly patient in-laws, Timothy Frater (Kathy), James Frater (Kris), Linda Zahn (Charlie), Robert Frater (Kelly), Patrick Frater (Sandy), and Scott Frater (Karen). Mary was also blessed with 11 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren. 

As past president of the Watertown Catholic Woman’s Club, Mary was able to share her faith along with her leadership. Mary was a talented artist who taught ceramics and glazing for many years. Mary and Milton loved to take road trips in the US and traveled to Europe many times. The family bought a houseboat in 1965, moored in Prairie du Chen, which eventually led to Mary starting a Ceramics business in McGregor, Iowa and the purchase and renovation of a number of buildings there. Mary was an inspiration to everyone she met. She never wanted to miss a party and never complained about the little aches and pains that are the primary dialogue among people she referred to as “old”. She was always ready to go anywhere with anyone for a new adventure. Ten months ago, the 13 members of the immediate Family planned a family trip to take a train from Vancouver to Banff. Due to some passport confusion the family was forced to leave Mary behind. The next day she managed to get herself (at age 99) on the plane in Madison, transfer in Minneapolis, and navigate through customs in Vancouver! 

The Frater Family (with Milton’s father, G Gordon and his brother Allen) managed GB Lewis for 33 years and helped build the Company from a wooden shipping box company into the largest fiberglass container manufacturer in the world. Mary and Milton represented GB Lewis at several of the European Worlds Fairs. As one of the largest employers in Watertown, the Fraters had the honor of working with many of the hard-working men and woman in the Watertown community. Gordon Frater, with the assistance of Menasha Corporation, purchased GB Lewis from the Lewis and Parks families in 1955 with the Menasha Corporation retaining controlling interest. Unfortunately, after Milton retired in 1975, the Menasha Corporation shifted production from the Watertown location to other plants around the Midwest and eventually closed the Watertown location. 

Mary and Milton built their dream retirement home on the north shore of Rock Lake in Lake Mills, WI, moving there after Milton retired. Mary and Milton had many wonderful friends, and were active in various euchre, sheepshead, and bridge clubs in Watertown and Lake Mills. The Frater Family home was always open for friends and family.

Since 2019, Mary has resided at Oakwood Village in Madison and made many friends during her years there. Mary was looking forward to being the first of her family to reach the milestone of age 100. Despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer in December of 2023, she rose to the occasion and in her usual fashion, dazzled us all with her lucidity and charm at the birthday parties held in her honor. Mary credited her long life with “never looking back” and always “looking for a way to improve the lives of the people around her”. Until a few months ago she was still providing tailoring services for fellow residents of Oakwood Village.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Magdalen and Hallet Kwapil, and her four siblings: Sister Marie Jo, Bill Kwapil Sr, John Kwapil, and Dorothy Ruesch.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church of Watertown with Fr. Tim Renz presiding. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of mass at the church. There will be a private internment ceremony for the family at St Henry’s Cemetery. The extended family was honored with the opportunity to say goodbye to Mary in person at her recent 100th birthday celebration. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary’s honor can be directed to the Oakwood Foundation at: foundation@oakwoodvillage.net