Edward A. Blumberg
Edward A. Blumberg died on Nov. 23, 2025, at the age of 93.
Beloved husband of the late Eileen Blumberg (nee Levin) and the longtime companion of Sandra Weinstein. Loving father of Jerry (Ruth) Blumberg, Sandy (Michael) Heller and Gail Blumberg. Proud grandfather of Merav (Chaim) Possick, Eran Blumberg, and Zohar (Noa) Blumberg, all of Israel; Jonathan Krovitz of Milwaukee; and 10 great-grandchildren in Israel. Dear brother of the late Tessa Blumberg.
Funeral services held Nov. 25 at the Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home. Interment followed at Second Home Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Wes Kalmar and Hazzan Jeremy Stein officiated. Memorial contributions to Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid, 6880 N. Green Bay Ave., Glendale, WI 53209 appreciated.
Harley David Frank
Harley David Frank died on Dec. 8, 2025, at the age of 84.
Beloved husband of Carol S. Frank (nee Schuchman). Loving father of Penny (Kevin) White and Brian Frank. Proud grandfather of Kendall Frank and Griffin White. Further survived by other dear relatives and friends.
He met his wife, Carol, while in his fraternity Phi Sigma Delta. They married in 1965 and celebrated 60 years of marriage in June. He adored his two children, and later in life always looked forward to visits from his grandkids.
Harley was a graduate of Washington High School, class of 1959; Marquette University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, class of 1966. He began his career with Allis Chalmers working on fuel cells for the Apollo program. Later he joined his mother Florence Frank in the family catering business named after his father, Spencer Frank Catering.
He had a lifelong passion for Wisconsin sports, the Braves and Brewers, Bucks, the Packers, and Marquette basketball. In addition, he carried his passion for cooking over from his catering business; always cooking for family and friends but also enjoyed eating out. He listened to all kinds of music, especially Jazz, Classical and Big Band. Harley and Carol loved to attend the symphony and concerts at Villa Terrace. He appreciated his children’s gifts of Katz Deli. He loved the food and frequently wore his Katz’ hat.
Harley and Carol would attend many shows and in the early years would volunteer to usher at various theaters. Harley was known as a kind and helpful person. He would drive his friends to whereever they needed to go. He will be deeply missed.
A memorial service was held on Dec. 11 at Congregation Shalom, Fox Point. Private interment was at Spring Hill Cemetery. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family
In lieu of flowers and because of family allergies, memorial contributions to L’Chaim Chaverut Clubhouse Northshore, JCC Milwaukee Men’s Club, or the charity of your choice appreciated.
Stephen H. Frankel
Stephen H. Frankel, of Mequon, Wisconsin, died on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at the age of 83. Loving husband of Mary Frankel (née Gauthier) of 44 years. Dear father of Dori Frankel (Jason) Steigman and Jill Frankel. Adoring grandfather of Ben Steigman and Natan Steigman; Zack Frankel and Michaela Frankel. Preceded in death by his mother, Lois (née Sternberg) and father, Rabbi Philip Frankel. Further survived by many loving relatives and friends.
Steve was born in Cincinnati and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Lansing, Michigan. A proud Wolverine, he graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Professionally, he worked his entire career as an actuary at Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee, from 1965 until his retirement as a vice president and actuary in 2004. Steve served on many boards and committees at Northwestern Mutual and in the insurance industry. He had been an active and impactful member of the Employee Trust Funds Board and the Group Insurance Board for the State of Wisconsin for over 20 years. In the community, he had served as a member of the Milwaukee Jewish Day School Board for many years. In retirement, he loved spending time with his wife, Mary, the rest of his family, and of course, his friends. He audited classes in history and political science at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee for many years.
Steve was an avid crossword puzzle maven, completing the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle IN PEN every week. He was also an avid reader, often tackling several books at the same time (each of which he would read to completion). He amassed an impressive collection of Michigan Wolverine clothing and other memorabilia (mostly thanks to his loving and supportive wife, a Wisconsin Badger). One of Steve’s most prized possessions was his collection of good friends and relationships that he cultivated over his lifetime. Steve’s Friday afternoon happy hour group (some of his best friends) set a modern-day record for longevity that is ongoing, meeting most Fridays for several decades. Anyone who knew Steve couldn’t help but love him. He will be missed by all.
The funeral service was Nov. 6, 2025, at The Chapel, 3601 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood. Interment followed at Pinelawn Memorial Park, 10700 W Capitol Dr, Milwaukee. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.
Olga Fredenthal
Olga Fredenthal died peacefully Nov 20, 2025, at the age of 97 with her devoted caregiver, Linda Deheck of Random Lake, WI, by her side.
Olga is survived by her daughter, Constance Payne, Holland, New York, cousins Barbara Siefert of Gilbert, Arizona, Maureen Edelman of Chicago and her devoted caregiver, Linda Deheck who in Olga’s declining days vigilantly cared for Olga.
Olga’s life was purposefully devoted to caring for her parents, her youngest daughter and supporting her husband Bert in all academic and professional endeavors. Her selfless devotion to her loved ones was the purpose of her life. Stalwart and courageous in serving the needs of her family, she also worked in a school library and as a school secretary. Olga was an obsessive reader and enjoyed her time at the Cedarburg Library. Along with her beauty and charm, Olga created exquisite gardens and maintained a beautiful home where human and canine visitors had a place of aesthetic beauty and comfort to thrive in. Olga now transcends to be with the passionate love of her life, Burt and her beloved daughter Mindy. We can celebrate her longed-for reunion as they now exist together united in peaceful eternity. Private services were held. Donations are most welcome to the Ozaukee Humane Society and/or The St Judes Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family.
James Fromstein
James A. Fromstein, an advertising, public relations and business executive, and Army veteran, died at his Bethesda, Maryland., home on November 20, 2025. He was 91.
James, known as Jim, was predeceased by his wife, the former Ruth Grafman. They had been married for 66 years. Jim was also a beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend.
He grew up in the Milwaukee suburb of Shorewood, where he worked on the high school newspaper, played multiple sports and began a lifelong affiliation with Congregation Emanuel-El B’Ne Jeshurun. He and Ruth met in 1952, when they were both freshmen students at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Although Jim loved journalism, he specialized in advertising because he did not want to rely on a reporter’s salary.
Jim and Ruth were married the day after their college graduation in 1956 and immediately moved to North Carolina, where he was stationed as an Army private first class. They later relocated to Milwaukee, where he joined his older brother Mitchell in Fromstein Associates, an advertising and public relations agency. Jim took particular satisfaction in promoting innovative products and services at the time which have since been absorbed into the culture – headphones by Koss Stereophones, a forerunner of ATM systems called CashPlus, and the then-newly formed Milwaukee Bucks basketball team.
The brothers later closed the agency and became executives at the Manpower temporary help company, where they remained until retirement. Jim, a senior vice president at the company, took particular pride in publicizing Manpower’s employment surveys, which were highly respected, drew considerable media attention and are still considered credible measures of employment trends. Although the firm was based in Milwaukee, its wide international reach led Jim to travel extensively in North and South America, Europe and Asia.
Jim had many other active pursuits beyond business. He enjoyed sports both as a participant and a fan. He loved playing golf, which he began in his youth and stopped only in his latest years for health reasons. He played numerous courses across the country and even in Europe, as evidenced by his scrapbook of scorecards. Nothing brought him more joy as a spectator than victories by Wisconsin’s pro sports teams and Northwestern’s Wildcats.
Sports were one way he and Ruth kept active ties to their alma mater. They frequently attended Northwestern reunions, held season tickets to NU football games and delighted in marching in the graduation procession at their 50th reunion.
Jim and Ruth shared many hobbies, including listening to music (especially jazz, classical and folk) in person and at home, and attending many art shows and exhibits. He had an early affinity for photography, with a home darkroom and lots of equipment, and kept some of his black-and-white photos on display in his home. Jim and Ruth shared a deep appreciation for Jewish life. Jim was active in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, Milwaukee Jewish Council and Milwaukee Jewish Federation and held leadership positions at his congregation in Milwaukee. He was also a member of Temple Emanuel of Maryland.
Survivors include his daughter Mollie Fromstein (Jeffrey) Katz of Bethesda; son Richard (Raleigh) Fromstein of Golden Valley, Minnesota; granddaughters Mari Fromstein of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Emily Katz (Eitan) Sayag of Washington, D.C., Elisha Fromstein of Boston, Massachusetts, and Julia Fromstein of Golden Valley, Minnesota; grandson Benjamin Katz of North Bethesda, Md.; and brother-in-law and close friend Stephen (Marilyn) Grafman of Potomac, Maryland.
The family requests that contributions in Jim’s name be made to one of two similarly-named congregations that occupied such an important part of his life – Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun of River Hills, Wisconsin, or Temple Emanuel of Kensington, Maryland.
Barbara A. Lepp
“What a great, interesting, complicated, thoughtful lady.”
Barbara Ann Lepp, longtime resident of Milwaukee and Kenosha, passed away just shy of her 95th birthday.
Born in Chicago to Harold and Frances (Sternfield) Sheffield, young Barbara moved to Milwaukee with her family and lived there until she graduated from Riverside High School. She studied English literature at University of Wisconsin – Madison, where she met Burton Lepp who was pursuing his law degree. They married in 1952, settling in Kenosha to raise their family.
Barbara worked as an assistant to a Certified Public Accountant early on, becoming a homemaker once her first daughter was born. Barbara earned a reputation as a wonderful cook, baker, and hostess. Interior design was a creative outlet at which she excelled. Barbara and Burt enjoyed playing tennis, classical music and opera, and travel – highlighted by trips to Ireland, Italy, and to a tennis championship at Wimbledon.
She enjoyed a bridge club for many years, eventually switching to mahjong. Barbara was a lifetime member of Hadassah and active volunteer, notably advocating for the wellbeing of seniors. After Burt passed away in 1985, Barbara returned to her Milwaukee roots, remaining there nearly 40 years.
Barb was preceded in death by husband Burton, sister Joyce (Robert) Weiss, and son-in-law Rick Hartnell.
She leaves behind her devoted daughters Joanne (Peter Naiman) Lepp-Naiman, Margaret Lepp Milkie, and Carolyn Hartnell; grandchildren Danny (Emily Carlip) Hartnell, Jason (Jasmin) Hartnell, Jordan (Mary) Milkie, and Jonathan Milkie; and great-grandchildren George, Kennedy, Sam, and Harrison Hartnell and Jenna Milkie.
A funeral service was held on December 16 at Congregation Shalom, Fox Point. Private interment took place at B’nei Zedek Cemetery, Kenosha. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Congregation Shalom or the charitable organization of your choice appreciated.
Maureen F. Lipton
Maureen Felicia Lipton was born on Nov. 27, 1945 in Milwaukee to George and Rose Lipton, and she died on Nov. 30, 2025, three days after her 80th birthday. She grew up in Milwaukee and graduated from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with a B.S. degree and later with an M.S. in education.
Upon graduation, she worked as an elementary teacher with the Milwaukee Public Schools. After more than 20 years of teaching, she took a sabbatical and obtained her second M.S. in Counseling from Marquette University. She returned to the public-school system as a counselor until she took early retirement at age 55, and then found time as a volunteer English as a Second Language teacher for several years.
Maureen married Robert (“Bob”) M. Patterson of Milwaukee in August, 1966 and after eight years they divorced. Maureen had an extensive knowledge and appreciation of the classical fine arts. She attended symphonies, operas, and ballets as often as she could. She sang in a choir for many years. She collected art, and every wall in her home had multiple pieces of art from all over the world.
Maureen travelled around the United States, and also traveled to Canada, Mexico many times, China, Hong Kong, Spain, Monaco and Morocco, Greece, Italy, Israel, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, and other places.
She leaves behind her devoted brother, Howard N. Lipton, and beloved cousins, Mark P. Behar & Demetrius L. Mack, as well as many friends.
Funeral services held Dec. 2 at the Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home. Entombment followed at Spring Hill Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Jessica Barolsky officiated. Memorial contributions to Milwaukee PBS (channels 10/36), attn: Dan Mueller, 1036 N. 9th St., 4th Floor, Milwaukee, WI 53233 appreciated.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Howard Lipton. Please visit GoodmanBensman.com or contact the funeral home for further information.
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