Louise Whitbeck was born in 1894 in Grand Forks, N.D. She earned a teaching certificate and was quickly noted to have a special gift. She was often assigned to work with the students who needed the most help.
Louise married Wesley Fraser and they had their first daughter, Mary Louise in 1918, and their second daughter, Jean, in 1920. At the age of 6 weeks, Jean contracted spinal meningitis and was later diagnosed with mental retardation as a result of the illness. A few years later, Louise and Wesley had a son named Bobby. A heartbreaking accident occurred when Bobby was just 3 years old, and he passed away. Their second son, Wesley Jr., was born in 1926.
In 1928, Wesley Fraser, Sr., a prohibition agent, was tragically shot to death during his final investigation.
Despite these tragedies, Louise persevered, and in 1931 moved her three children to the Twin Cities. Louise took Jean to the University of Minnesota where she learned that Jean had profound hearing impairment. Her daughter's challenging behavior was due to her inability to hear, not mental retardation.
Louise decided to teach Jean at home while waiting for an opening in a program for deaf children. Since Jean was able to hear high and low tones, Mrs. Fraser found music to be a teaching tool that would hold her attention. Jean responded well to the music and learned concepts quickly. News of Mrs. Fraser's success spread throughout the special needs community and other families pleaded with her to teach their children too.
In 1935, Mrs. Fraser opened a school in her home for children with disabilities. With the encouragement and support of many grateful parents, she pioneered special education in Minnesota and gained national acclaim for her innovative teaching methods and the remarkable achievements of her students. Music therapy became the cornerstone of her teaching program.
In 1976, Mrs. Fraser died at the age of 81 and a tremendous sense of loss was felt throughout the community. Mrs. Fraser devoted herself to improving the lives of as many children as she could. She provided help and hope to many families who otherwise might have had none.