Ann Louise Flierl, age 78, a lifelong Port Washington, WI resident who quietly and thoughtfully went about brightening the lives of family, friends and anyone she encountered, left this world while sitting in the light of the morning on Feb. 5, 2021.
Born Ann Gryga, she was the youngest daughter of a furniture designer John Gryga and a seamstress, Clara Dominiak, who developed a deep love for her hometown on walks to school along the lakeshore, past Smith Bros. Restaurant, through downtown and up the hill to St. Mary Catholic Church. She graduated from the adjoining school in 1956, and Port Washington High School in 1960.
She married William Flierl August 26, 1967 and the two raised two children, Kathryn and Thomas, mostly on Larabee Street, but later on Roger Street where their home was a touchstone for friends, as well as nieces and nephews, who were always welcomed as one of her own. Ann was a Girl Scout troop leader and active in parish life, from the Christian Mothers to serving as president of the St. Mary School Board. Ann and William were deeply in love and devoted to each other, each a source of strength when the other needed it most, and exceptionally proud of their children. Ann’s career was spent as a paralegal in the Ozaukee County Corporation Counsel’s Office where she retired in 2008.
Her retirement neatly coincided with the birth of her first grandchild. She was a devoted grandmother who believed in making special memories with her grandchildren. She planned outings to museums and parks, each usually followed by a visit to the candy store. She never missed a concert, school event or special occasion and she loved hosting sleepovers, which were followed by blueberry pancake breakfasts.
Ann had a lifelong love of travel, always eager for the next adventure, filling photo album after photo album with images from Germany, France, Austria, Luxembourg and, more recently, trips to Italy and Poland with her sister, Mary. The two could be inseparable, enjoying long walks, shopping trips, sneaking a shot of Krupnik at Polish Fest and time with a circle of friends that went back decades.
Ann was active in civic affairs. She was a member and past president of the Port Washington Historical Society and champion of the restoration of the Light Station and, more recently, construction of the Explorium. She worked tirelessly on events, especially the society’s annual fund-raising gala, and went out of her way to assure every detail was perfect.
That same care extended to her love of having family over, where there always seemed to be fresh flowers on the dining room table, appetizers at the ready and — for the grandkids — ice cream in the freezer.
Her passing leaves a deep hole in the lives of family and friends, one that will not soon — or easily — be filled.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, William; her daughter Kathryn (Greg) Borowski; son Thomas (Jennifer) Flierl, and her beloved grandchildren, Annaliese, Audrey and George, as well as her sister, Mary (Theodore) Flierl, brother-in-law John (Pat) Flierl, sister-in-law Carol Gryga, and a host of adoring nieces and nephews, and their families, as well as cousins and extended family throughout the country.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Clara (Dominiak) Gryga, three brothers John, James and Charles Gryga, and sister-in-law Betty Gryga.
A family Mass has been celebrated. A future celebration of Ann’s life will be held.
Memorials should be made to Port Washington Historical Society, PO Box 491, Port Washington, WI 53074 (www.pwhistory.org).
My thoughts and prayers to Bill and family. I just read the death notice for Ann Flierl in last week’s newspaper and my heart sunk. Bill Flierl was my supervisor many years ago when I worked at Stainless Foundry & Engineering. He was the best Supervisor, kind and caring and a great family man. My husband and I met Ann when invited to their Port Washington home. Ann made “floating tacos” which has become a family favorite. She was a great and caring hostess. Over the years I have thought of Bill & Ann and the family and am saddened by his loss. May memories of her and the love you shared rest well within your heart.
I was so sorry to hear of Ann’s death. She was my cousin. Her father John was my fathers (Walter) brother. As a child I remember the trips to port Washington to visit them. The times they came to Michigan. Ann and I were close in age and shared good times together. We of course had different lives, but Ann always kept in touch. Both she and Mary would visit Michigan and see my mother. She was a kind and gentle woman and loved family life. She never lost contact with me. My sincere condolences to her family.
Anne was such an exceptional person. I knew her for many years in her capacity as the paralegal in the County Corporation Counsel’s office. Her quiet kindness and generosity made Ozaukee County a better place. It was obvious that she cared for everyone whom she helped in her job there. She was a rare example of how to live a good life. One of the many things that she did was to organize annual luncheons for retired employees of Ozaukee County because she valued the people with whom she worked. My sincere condolences to her family. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to work with her. She won’t be forgotten.
Hello Tom and Family, my sincere sympathy for the passing of your Mom. May she rest in Peace
Sending my sincere condolences and prayers.
I would like to tell you a short story. My parents had chosen Ann for my first name if I were a girl. When looking for a middle name one of my aunt’s said she knew of a nice young lady by the name of Ann Louise Gryga. Mom and dad like the combination. So my name became Ann Louise Thanks for the name Ann.
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We are sending our hugs and love from the ‘other side of the Lake’. Ron and I wished we could deliver them in person. I know that Clara, John and the Boys were there to greet her along with my folks, Walter and Theresa (Dominiak) Ksiazkiewicz. My brother Joe and sister Mary Celeste Slocum were there also.
Know that your Angel Ann will be there for you. Connie and Ron Kowalski
Bill and family,
It is so hard to believe that Ann has passed from this world – Our deepest sympathy to you. Ann was so dedicated to every endeavor she undertook. Know that we are thinking about you and your loss.
Ann was a classmate of mine with the class of 1960, and I knew her most of my life. I did not know she had accomplished so much for the Port Washington community. Well done Ann. My condolences to the entire family. Ned L. Huwatschek Lac La Belle, Mi
My sympathy on your loss Bill. Ann was a great gal.
She will be missed.
Sincere Sympathy to Bill and all of the Flierl family. I had the pleasure of knowing Ann when we worked together at the Voting Polls for several years. We also enjoyed meeting for coffee or lunch and talking about our grandchildren and our families. Ann was a kind and lovely person and will be missed.
Barbara and I treasure getting to know my cousin, Ann Louise,
as adults in recent years. Along with Mary Beth, she was a
touchstone to that part of my family and was able to fill in
many blank spots. A lovely, sensitive person, we will miss her
surprising sense of humor and good nature.
May she rest in peace.
Bill,
My sincere sympathy to you and your family. Ann was such a wonderful lady, may she rest in peace.
Bill and family, my deepest sympathy. I read that the brightest stars burn the quickest but are the most beautiful. May she rest in peace.”
Bill, I’m so sorry for your loss.
My condolences to your family. I had the privilege to plan a Christian Ladies Spring Dinner with her. She made it a pleasure to work with her on this event. She was a thoughtful person and she knew how to get the job done. May she rest in peace and may your family realize she is always with you.
My deepest condolences to the entire family. I had the pleasure of knowing Ann for a little bit over a year, since I joined the Port Washington Historical Society as the new editor. Her immense knowledge of the community and amazing attention to detail in helping me put together the quarterly newsletter were most impressive. This is a great loss to this community. She will be missed.
Bill, our condolences to you and your family.
Our Sympathies to Bill and your entire family, may she rest in peace!
Ann is a sweet, generous kind person who is missed dearly. Our “Lunch Bunch” outings will never be the same without her. Enjoyed working with her at the County. She was a very capable, organized and knowledgeable paralegal who served the citizens of our community admirably. Ann is a life well lived. My condolences to her husband and family.
My condolences to Ann’s family. I met Ann in Tai chi class when I first moved to Port 12 years ago. She and sister Mary were so welcoming.
Ann was a loyal helper in the funeral ministry at St. Mary’s. I loved having her on my work team. She was always the one to suggest improving our service to the grieving families…pretty tablecloths, floral centerpieces, aprons for workers, quiet environment etc.
I will always remember Ann as a quiet gentle force.
Sending my sincere condolences for your family’s loss. Ann Louise, as we called her in high school, and I met at a corner and walked to school together for probably our freshman and sophomore years. She was the classmate who came to my Dad’s funeral, many years later.She was the best.
My condolences Bill & your family, Anne was always so sweet and polite to me. So sorry for your loss, may she rest in peace.