ALTAMONT — Bessie L. “Betty” Friebel loved her home and family above all else.

Her grandson was married on Sept. 16. “It was her goal to make it to his wedding, and she did,” said her daughter, Elisabeth Whitman, through tears. “She went downhill after that.”

Mrs. Friebel died on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, at The Grand of Guilderland. She was 88.

She was born in Schenectady on Aug. 16, 1929 to the late Lester S. and Bessie M (née Ohlidal) Wilson. Her mother was a homemaker and her father had jobs involved with politics.

When she was 18, she met 21-year-old Ernest Friebel while roller skating. “It was pretty scandalous back then: He was Lutheran and she was Catholic,” said Mrs. Whitman.

The Friebels married on Nov. 8, 1947. Their union of more than 65 years ended only with his death in 2013.

The couple raised their children in the Lutheran Church. “In her heart, she was always still a Roman Catholic,” said her daughter.

Mrs. Friebel had a strong religious faith and was a long-time member of the congregation of the Messiah Lutheran Church.

She was one of the church’s first visitation ministers, going on trips with the pastor to visit the sick and ailing, her daughter said. She was also a member of the Care and Concern Committee, phoning people and sending cards.

Further, Mrs. Friebel, who played the organ for her own pleasure, was on the church’s Worship and Music Committee. She was an active participant in the Adult Education Ministry, and she belonged to the  Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

As a mother, Mrs. Whitman said, Mrs. Friebel “was always there … She was strict but loving.”

The family enjoyed camping together. “She did all the packing and planning,” said Mrs. Whitman, while her father was busy with his work as a mechinist. “She was the coordinator.”

Mrs. Friebel was a member of the National Campers & Hikers Association and the Good Sam RV Club. She was also active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Elks ladies auxiliaries.

Mrs. Friebel was interested in history and belonged to both the Guilderland and Duanesburg historical societies.

“After Dad retired, they went cross-country and visited historical sites in 48 states,” said Mrs. Whitman. The only states they didn’t visit were Alaska and Hawaii.

Mrs. Whitman described her mother as “a homemaker who took great pride in her house.” The Friebels lived on Depot Road where Mrs. Friebel kept gardens for both flowers and vegetables. “We had potatoes, corn, squash, beans, radishes — you name it,” said her daughter.

Mrs. Friebel was active in the Home Bureau and loved making crafts. Mrs. Whitman said her mother and her aunt “made the favors for my wedding.” They were beaded snowflakes that matched the colors of the women’s gowns.

“She could knit and crochet and tat,” sid Mrs. Whitman. A beaded Christmas tree is Mrs. Whitman’s favorite among all of her mother’s handiwork.

If she had to describe her mother in one word, it would be “gregarious,” Mrs. Whitman said. “She loved being with people.”

Mrs. Whitman concluded in a tribute, “She was an extremely genuine and gregarious soul who always tried to make people comfortable. She could talk to anyone making them feel like her best friend. People often said she was one of the nicest people they knew. She will be sorely missed.”

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Bessie L. “Betty” Friebel is survived by her children, Walter E. Friebel and his wife, Sandra, William A. Friebel and his wife, Deborah, Elisabeth M. Whitman and her husband, Charles, and Steve Friebel and his wife Adrian; by her grandchildren Vicki Hubert, Katrina, Daniel, and Corey Friebel, Matthew Friebel and his wife, Carla, and Brian Friebel, Christopher and his wife, Cassandra, and Marc Whitman, Dylan Friebel; by six great-grandchildren; and by many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fredendall Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, Altamont. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 1:30 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2850 Guilderland Ave., Schenectady.

Memorial contributions may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church, 2850 Guilderland Ave., Schenectady, NY 12306.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer