Frieda Jezwski

Frieda (Juengling) Jezeski, age 88, passed away peacefully at her home in Hillsboro, Illinois, on August 28, 2025. Born in Poland on October 12, 1936, to Gustav and Elli Juengling, Frieda's life was one of resilience, strength, and love for her family.

On October 1, 1959, Frieda married Theodore H. Jezeski. As the wife of a disabled Army veteran who served in the Korean War, she dedicated herself to caring for her husband, supporting him through the challenges of PTSD while raising their six boys. Frieda raised 2 special needs sons, Teddy and John, who live with her always. She is deeply missed, especially by her boys. Four of her sons went on to serve in the US Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard. She cared for her husband until his passing in 2019. She also cared for her 2 adult special needs sons until her LBD diagnosis. Even then, her concern was always for her 2 boys.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Theodore H. Jezeski, her parents Gustav and Elli Juengling, her sisters Hedwig Grasl and Gertrud Polashak, and her granddaughters Samantha Jezeski and Lexington Slaughter.

A quiet and humble woman, Frieda cherished simple pleasures in life. Her love for gardening and her chickens brought her joy, as did hosting fish fries and baking her famous apple pies. She often found solace in nature and would eagerly discuss her thoughts and dreams during drives to town with her loved ones.

Frieda is survived by her children, Daniel (Kathe) Jezeski, James (Krys) Jezeski, Dennis (Amy Hilfiker) Jezeski, Theodore R. Jezeski, John Jezeski, Timothy (Theresa) Jezeski, and stepson David Walker. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Philip Jezeski, Joshua Jezeski, Jennifer Sherwin, Jaccob Jezeski, Megan Braatz, Danielle Slaughter, Tamara Jezeski, James R. Jezeski, and Timothy A. Jezeski, along with 18 great-grandchildren who brought her immense joy.

Frieda is also survived by her siblings Herbert (Janet) Juengling, Adolph (Sandy) Juengling, Willi (Betty) Juengling, Lena (Richard) McNees, Reinhardt (Cindy) Juengling, Ursula Juengling, and many nieces and nephews who fondly remember her warmth and kindness.

In honor of her unwavering spirit and dedication to helping others, the family kindly requests that any memorial donations be directed to the Special Olympics, reflecting Frieda’s commitment to supporting those in need.

A celebration of Frieda’s life will be held in the spring at Hillsboro, Illinois, date to be announced later, where family and friends will gather to honor her memory. Her final resting place will be at Argonne, Wisconsin, where she will be laid to rest.

Frieda’s journey from a war-torn childhood to building a family in a new country is a testament to her enduring courage, resilience, and the love she gave to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and all those fortunate enough to have shared in her life.