Marjorie “Mardi” F. Fries

Marjorie (Mardi) Fifield Fries was born in Chicago, IL. Her parents, Marion and David Fifield, adopted her as an infant and raised her in Beloit, WI, along with her older brother Dick. Mardi attended Beloit High School and Beloit College, earning a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences in 1955.

After college, she went on a blind date (set up and encouraged by her brother Dick) and met Richard Fries. In 1959, they married and moved to Madison before moving up to La Crosse. During these early days, their sons, Douglas, Bruce, and Andy were born.

It was in La Crosse where Mardi truly thrived, building her loving home base on Cliffside Drive with Rich and the 3 boys. If she wasn’t providing delicious meals and treats for her family, she was busy with Cub Scout den mother duties. She began her passionate 60+ year dedication with the La Crosse Lutheran Hospital (now Gundersen Health System) volunteer “Auxiliary” organization, serving various chairman/co-chairman roles in publicity & marketing, and pioneering early programs with hospice/advance directive development and the first Legislative Action Program representing the hospital in Washington D.C. sessions. As a way to deepen her
connection, she returned to school earning a nursing RN degree when she was 50.

Mardi’s creative side blossomed as well. An avid free-verse poet, she was published dozens of times and was actively engaged with the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets, serving roles as Regional Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and ultimately President (1995-1998). In addition to her rigorous organizational involvement, she was co-editor of Poetry Out of Wisconsin (1980) and the only two-time editor of the Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar (1989 & 2001).

In 1996, Mardi and Rich moved up to Lake Arbutus to retire at the serene “Lake House” where they lived for over fifteen years before moving back to the local area in Onalaska. She moved into Eagle Crest South during the beginning of COVID in 2020 close to her dear friends Lynne Leuthe and Marilyn McElligott until she passed away.

Mardi is survived by her 1st son Douglas (Mary), grandson Karl (Megan), and great- granddaughter Willa; and granddaughter Sarah. She is also survived by her 2nd son Bruce (Paula) and granddaughters Emmanuelle and Gracyn. And while she was predeceased by her 3rd son, Andrew, she is survived by her beloved daughter-in-law Karen with granddaughter Katie and grandson Jonathan. She is also survived by brother-in-law Benjamin, sister-in-law Gladys and many nieces and nephews. Finally (though arguably this could have been the first in order), she is survived by her attentive granddog Colby.

She was predeceased by her husband Richard; son Andrew; brother Dick Fifield; brothers-in-law Karl, Robert (Bob), John and Ed Pope; sisters-in-law Shirley Fifield, Shirley Fries, Betty Fries, and Anne Pope.

Mardi passed away at Riverside Transitional Care under the compassionate attention of the Gundersen hospice staff. A memorial event remembering Mardi’s life will be held later in the summer.

Memorial donations can be made to:
Gundersen Medical Foundation ( https://www.gundersenhealth.org/foundation )
Friends of the La Crosse Public Library ( https://www.lacrosselibrary.org/about/support )
La Crosse Community Theater ( https://www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org/donate )