Joanne Fruhling

Joanne Fruhling ,74 years of age, of WaKeeney, Kansas passed away Sunday, June 24, 2012 at the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, Kansas. She was born on November 6, 1937 in Orleans, Nebraska to George Henry and Gertrude Clara (Russell) Vahle .

She attended District 26 Harlan County School and was a graduate of Long Island High School. On March 6, 1956 she married Lloyd Fredrick Fruhling in Woodruff, Kansas. To this union three daughters were born. Joanne was baptized into Christ, January, 1957 in Woodruff, Kansas and has been a faithful member of the United Methodist Church.

Joanne loved children. She was a licensed daycare provider for over 37 years, known as "Grandma Jo" to all of her "kids". Whether you were one of her "kids", a friend, relative or someone she didn't know well, Joanne always had a word of encouragement for people who needed it most. She would pray for them and share the Word of God in person and through cards and letters. After her retirement, Joanne enjoyed looking through picture albums of all of her "kids" and reminiscing about them. She loved playing the piano with family listening and singing along, and also drawing pictures. She expressed often that her grandchildren and great grandchildren were a special blessing to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lloyd on March 1, 2010, daughter, Sandra Jean and brothers, Donald and Darrell Vahle.

Joanne is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Griffith and husband George and daughter, Linda Fruhling of WaKeeney, Kansas, grandchildren, Seth of Denver, Colorado, Jason and wife Heather of Overland Park, Kansas, Nathan of Norton, Kansas and Kristin of Lenora, Kansas, 2 great grandchildren, brother George Vahle, Jr. and wife Janice of Phillipsburg, Kansas, sisters, Erma Jean Nyland of Prairie View, Kansas and Marilyn Anderson of Kearney, Nebraska.

Funeral Service: Saturday, June 30th at 2:00 pm at the United Methodist Church in Franklin, Nebraska with Rev. Nancy Leonard officiating.

Interment: Long Island Cemetery, Long Island, Kansas.

Visitation: Friday, June 29th 11:00 am to 8:00 pm with family greeting friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Hutchins Funeral Home in Franklin, Nebraska.

Family Luncheon: Saturday, June 30th at noon at the United Methodist Church in Franklin.

Memorials to the American Lung Association

Hutchins Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.