Edith M. Anstett

Edith M. Anstett, age 99, of North Freedom, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Meadow Ridge Assisted Living.

Edith’s parents, Ernst Paul and Malchen Hiltrude (Schlegel) Schulze, emigrated from Germany following the end of World War I, eventually settling in East Chicago, Indiana where Edith was born on March 24, 1925. Edith was just 3 years old when Ernst passed away unexpectedly. Following his death, Malchen moved to Baraboo, with Edith and her younger brother, Walter, as they had family in the area. Malchen struggled to support herself and two young children with the added impediment of English not being her first language. Eventually, Malchen sought assistance from a local judge who advised her of a widower, Frank Hanley, who needed assistance raising his youngest child. Malchen married Frank and with her two young children, moved to his cabin (the farm) where they lived without the comforts they had known previously, specifically, running water and electricity. It was at the cabin where Edith’s half-sister, Dolores, was born. Despite the primitive living conditions, Malchen made the best of her situation, explaining to Edith years later when asked how she did it, simply stating, “Life is what you make it.” The family eventually moved from the farm to North Freedom, where Edith attended and graduated from high school. After graduation, Edith worked as a “Soda Jerk” at the Corner Drug Store in Baraboo where she met Arlene Anstett. It was Arlene who introduced Edith to the love of her life, Fredrick “Fred” Anstett. They were united in marriage at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Baraboo on March 4, 1946.

Edith and Fred settled in North Freedom where they raised their family. Edith was a devoted wife, and some would say, ahead of her time, a working mother, employed as a clerk for the United States Post Office in North Freedom and later in Baraboo. Following their retirement, Fred and Edith spent their days at the farm where they raised crops and beef cattle. They worked hard but made time for leisure and friends. They were avid bowlers and always enjoyed a good fish fry and a well-made brandy old fashioned. Edith and Fred were married 56 years at the time of his death on October 8, 2002. Edith missed Fred terribly and spoke of him often. Despite the pain of her loss, Edith demonstrated the strength and resilience her own mother had displayed for her so many years before. Edith continued to travel to the farm daily, her own personal oasis, the place where she found her peace. If not on the farm, you would find Edith working in her garden, canning her famous pickles, looking for new recipes to test out, watching her birds, and hosting holiday dinners for her ever expanding family. Edith maintained an “open door policy” when it came to her home. Her children’s friends still talk about stopping by the house at which point Edith would immediately ask if they were hungry and offer to “make them a plate.” She continued this policy for the children that attended the daycare down the street from her home, making sure the cookie drawer was fully stocked for the children when they would visit. Children who lovingly referred to her as “Grandma Edith,” many of whom are now adults themselves and when given the opportunity, introduced their own children to Grandma Edith.

Undoubtedly, Edith exemplified the “Greatest Generation” as evidenced by her hardworking, frugal, responsible, and sacrificing personality. The things she witnessed and experienced over the course of her 99 years are incredible, ranging from the Great Depression, World War II, assassinations, a man walking on the moon, and a global pandemic. Experiences that most of us will only ever know through history books or the encyclopedia (Edith’s version of Google). Always a woman of faith, Edith oftentimes reflected on the blessings bestowed upon her. She reminded her children to be kind and to forgive, never forgetting how it felt to be ridiculed for a mother that did not speak English, having to wear homemade clothes, or on the playground being picked last for the team. She rarely had a harsh word for another, other than for the squirrels that dared to steal her birdseed.

Edith is survived, and will be missed dearly, by her 6 children, Frank (Lois), Susan (Terry) Burroughs, Dennis (JoEllen), John (Sandra), Cynthia (Michael) Kaufman and Julie (Paul) Hasenstab; 14 grandchildren, Greg (Jennifer) Anstett, Kelly (Tony) Anstett, Mike (Deb) Burroughs, Pat (Dana) Burroughs, Jennifer Burroughs, Dan Anstett, Kyle (Katie) Anstett, Grace Anstett, Nicholas (Nickie) Anstett, Ashley Anstett, Emily (Tim) Boettcher, Nathan Kaufman, and Adam & Josie Hasenstab; 13 great-grandchildren, Casey (Nicky) Anstett, Sam Anstett, Adeline (Ethan) Zimmer, Chloe Zimmer, Alyssa (Casey) Schell, Aaron Burroughs, Sophia (Riley) Burroughs, Megan, Marisa, Finn & Henry Gorder, Reid & Ryker Anstett; 1 great-great-grandchild, Layla Schell; sisters-in-law, Irene Anstett and Sue Anstett, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Edith was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred; granddaughter, Andrea; her brother and sister-in-law, Walter & Marge Schulze, and sister and brother-in-law, Dolores & Clarence Vorndran. Edith felt so fortunate to have married into the loving, large, and always boisterous Anstett family, many of whom preceded her in death including Fred & Mary Agnes, Chester & Winifred, Roy & Lillian, Viola & Andy Nyquist, Emmett & Sally, Arlene & Les Pedersen, Ralph & Janine, Gerald, Jack & Betty, in addition to other extended family members.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Garrett Kau presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass with a luncheon at the church to follow. A committal service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in North Freedom at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Freedom Fire Department or St. Joseph Catholic Church.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to staff at Meadow Ridge Assisted Living and Agrace for their kindness, support, and care of Edith.