Elfriede R. Fussel

Elfriede R. Fussel, 100, of Norwich, died on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at the Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Elfriede was born on December 20, 1925, in Rheinhartsdorf, Germany. In Germany, Elfriede married her husband, Rudi Fussel. Together in 1961, Elfriede and their daughter moved to Teaneck, New Jersey. In Teaneck, she worked as a housekeeper before starting in retail. For many years she also worked at Alexander's in Paramus, New Jersey.

In 1979, Elfriede and Rudi moved to Dallas, Texas, where she worked at J.C. Penney’s until her retirement. Elfriede relocated to Norwich in 2021 to be near her daughter. In her spare time, Elfriede enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and quilting.

Elfriede is survived by her daughter, Heidi (Walt) Smith, of Norwich; granddaughters, Ashley Smith-Boutin and Morgan (Michael) Boland; and great-grandchildren, Hannah Boutin, Gabriel Boland, and Annie Boland. She was predeceased by her husband, in 2005.

There will be no formal services for Elfriede. Funeral arrangements were entrusted with the Wilson Funeral Home.