Gwendolyn Mae (Lehman) Frese, 85, of Nevada, died peacefully, Monday, May 26, 2025, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames in the company of her family.

Gwen was born April 3, 1940, at home in rural McCallsburg, IA, the daughter of Ernest and Helen (Hall) Lehman. She graduated from the McCallsburg High School as class valedictorian in 1958 and attended the Northwest Institute of Medical Technology where she studied to become a Clinical Lab Technologist. Upon completion of her education Gwen returned to work at the Story County Hospital as a Lab Tech and where she would meet her eventual husband, Robert Frese. On June 26, 1960, Gwen was united in marriage to Robert Edward Frese in Nevada, at the Presbyterian Church.

Many of Gwen's working years were devoted to homemaking and raising her two sons. Later she would work as a secretary for Cabin Craft Midwest and the Nevada office of the Story County Farm Bureau. Gwen also served as the secretary for several community organizations, including the Golden K Kiwanis club and the Nevada Senior Citizens' Center. She loved to play cards, especially with her Thursday duplicate bridge club.

Gwen was a member of the Nevada First United Methodist Church where she served as a third grade Sunday school teacher for many years with her husband Bob and on various boards and committees. Gwen was an active member of the UMW, serving at the local and district level. She loved watching his grandchildren play sports. Gwen enjoyed cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and was a lifelong fan of the Iowa State University "Cardinal and Gold." Gwen was a long time ISU Women's Basketball season ticket holder, often traveling to games and tournaments over the years with her husband, Bob.

Bob and Gwen lived forty-seven years on their acreage south of Nevada. There they raised their family, St. Bernards, and sheep. Gwen gardened, mowed acres of grass, watched the wildlife, and enjoyed the woods. She picked bushels of black raspberries and made the most delicious jams and pies. She was an excellent cook and baker, sharing her treats with her many neighbors, especially her holiday tea rings.

Gwen is survived by her sons, Jeffrey, of Nevada, and Michael (Patricia) of Wilson, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Sarah, Stephen (Emily), Rebekah, Jessica (Joshua) Good, Caitlin (Erik) Gutekunst; her great grandchildren, Benjamin Frese, Evelyn Frese, Joanna Good, Caleb Good, and Ellie Gutekunst; She is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Bob (Carol) Lehman, Dee Lehman, and Paul Lehman, She is also survived by her sisters-in-laws, DeAnn Lehman and Mary Lou Stewart. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Ernest Lehman; and two great grandchildren, Noah Good and Ella Frese; and a brother-in-law, Charlie Stewart.

Gwen's life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025, with a memorial service at the Nevada First United Methodist Church (1036 7th Street) in Nevada with Pastor Deb Copple officiating. Family will greet friends beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of her service at the church.  Private burial will be at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery in Nevada.