Obituary of Mary Lee Fruehauf

After nine years of a courageous fight, Mary lost her battle with ovarian cancer Friday May 29th. She died in the loving arms of her mother, dad, brother, and long-time friend Eric Blackledge. Mary was most thankful for the dedicated support from Dr. John Fleagle, the cancer triage, the many doctors and nurses at Foothills Hospital, as well as her family and devoted friends Mariah Maydew and Eric Blackledge. Mary’s earliest child hood years were in Midland Michigan where she fostered an enduring relationships with her Midland family that continued for the rest of her life. After moving to Boulder, she attended Burke elementary school, Burbank Junior high and graduated from Fairview High in 1978. Mary went on to pursue degrees in elementary-education, and business at ASU and CU. She then decided to take over the family outdoor furniture business. Because of her entrepreneurial skills and keen sense of marketing, the business received the prestigious Apollo award for the best run single store retail casual furniture business in the nation. Mary was a board member of (ICFA) International Casual Furnishings Association. She contributed to national trade publications, and fellow retailers often looked to her for advice. Mary loved to travel. She visited all fifty states, and with exception of the Arctic’s and Australia she visited all of the world’s continents. Mary was also a real dog lover and over the years was a regular participant in dog rescuing – (bassets ain particular). As a Boulder businesswomen Mary was deeply devoted to the community and she made sure the business reflected her commitment. Mary is survived by her mother and dad-Vic and Gretchen Fruehauf, brother-Todd Fruehauf, sister-in-Law- Lisa (Rudolph) Fruehauf, niece Caitlyn and nephew Zachary Fruehauf. Mary will be sorely missed, but she will be remembered for her valiant fight against cancer, her devotion to work her cheerfulness and her unwavering support and kindness toward her family, friends to all that crossed her path. There will be a private service with immediate family in Boulder, followed by burial and grave site service at a later date with extended family in Midland MI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society Ovarian Research, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718, TRU Community Care 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026 and Dachshund Rescue of North America, Elieen Pratt, DRNA, 1197 Allaire Loop, The Villages, FL 32163.