Louise Emeline Surber

Louise was born February 18, 1926 in Carthage, IL to Marion and Hattie (Jones) Akers. She and her four siblings grew up in Carthage before moving to Macomb, Illinois. Macomb is where Louise met and later married Donald Surber on September, 29, 1945. They were happily married for 66 years, settling with their three children at 101 S. Vine Street in Freeburg, IL

Members of the community will remember Louise best for her work as a medical assistant to Dr. Koesterer. During her twenty years in his office, she touched the lives of so many local families, providing a calming presence and a listening ear. Louise was also an active member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Freeburg where she served as a Sunday school teacher, ran bible school during the summer, and volunteered as a sponsor for Youth Fellowship. As a former member and president of the Freeburg Women’s Club and an ongoing supporter of Khoury League baseball, she immersed herself in countless fundraising activities for the community. A diehard Cardinals baseball fan all her life, Louise rarely missed a game, holding a special place in her heart for Jack Buck and Stan the Man. Louise loved traveling, texting on her iPhone, ordering from the Dairy Queen value menu, caring for the fish in her aquarium, Wednesday night family dinners at her house, and celebrating all the holidays with her loved ones.

Survivors include her three children, Patricia (Stephen) Fritz of Freeburg, IL, James (Becky) Surber of Lisle, IL and Thomas (Diane) Surber of Swansea, IL; 8 grandchildren, Andrew (Laura) Fritz, Alexander (Sarah) Fritz, Angela (Justin) Lysakowski, Brett (Kelly) Surber, Jessica Surber, Jonathan Surber, Steven (Bethany) Raetz and Paul (Jenny) Raetz; 12 great-grandchildren, Dylan, Ian, Brandon and Evan Fritz, Luke, Jackson and Tyler Lysakowski, Brooke, Evan, Charlie, and Abby Raetz, and Sylvia Surber. Louise will also be missed by Karen Surber of Freeburg, IL and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Louise was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; brothers, Louis, James and Marion Akers, Jr.; sister, Rose Marie (Roy) Fischer and son-in-law, Dr. Stephen Fritz.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 25, 2022 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and on Saturday, November 26 from 10:00am to 11:00am at the Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights, IL 62208. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 26 at 11:00am followed by interment in Lake View Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.