Ann was the last surviving sibling of her Walbe family, preceded in death by Andrew Walbe, Elizabeth Wewers, Sister Marian Walbe, Margie Borengasser, Josephine Basgall, Joe Walbe, Leo Walbe, and Jaunita Perry. Ann, her sisters and brothers, turned a hardscrabble life on a subsistence farm into successful lives of love for family and friends.
Ann lived her married life in Fort Smith, Arkansas, with Ben Frietsche, her husband of 65 years, until his passing in 2014. Ann’s unselfish dedication and love for her husband and children was a large part of their success in life. Following the passing of Ben she moved to Tampa, Florida, to live independently with the loving care of her daughter Melinda and Melinda’s husband Larry.
Ann is survived by daughters Melinda (Larry) Box, Janis (John) Brizzolara, and, her son, Rick (Maryann) Frietsche; six grandchildren, Mal Box, Zachary Box, Kelleigh Boerner, Stephanie Sheppard, Gretchen Kinsella, Kristen Frietsche and six great-grandchildren.
Ann is remembered by her family and friends as a sweet and giving person. She put the needs of others ahead of her own. She loved flowers, liked to garden, she liked sports, in particular tennis and football.
Though she is the last of her siblings to leave us, Ann has children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews that carry fond memories of her and the Walbes with them.
Memorial Mass will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, November 13, 2026 at Christ The King Catholic Church, 2112 S Greenwood Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Following the mass, Ann will be laid to rest at the Fort Smith National Cemetery at 1:00pm. Please consider the following charities in lieu of flowers: Suncoast Hospice Foundation and Foundation Fighting Blindness.
