Dorothy S Froning

Froning, Dorothy S., 97, of Wichita, passed away on Friday, March 9, 2012. Funeral service 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at College Hill United Methodist Church. Dorothy was born on April 8, 1914, in Cosby, Missouri, the daughter of Henry H. and Annette M. Ferguson Schneider. She graduated from Park College at Parkeville, Missouri and taught high school Spanish for four years. During World War II, Dorothy joined the WAVES and served until she was discharged in April 1945. Following the war, she received her M.A. in Spanish from the University of Alabama in 1947 and began her teaching career at Wichita State University as an Assistant Professor of Spanish. In 1953, Dorothy was given a two-year leave of absence from Wichita State to study for her doctorate at the University of California. In 1960 she received a grant from UCLA and was given leave to complete her studies in Spain. She received her PhD in Latin American Literature in 1961. At Wichita State University, Dorothy served as Chairperson of the Department of Romance Languages. She directed the departments Summer Program in Puebla, Mexico in six different occasions. In 1980, she received the George A Lewis Award for Creativity and Innovation in Teaching given by the College of Liberal Arts. She retired in 1981 as Professor Emeritus of Romance Languages. She is listed in Whos Who of American Women. She served as President of the Kansas Modern Language Association, the Wichita State University Dames and the South Central Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. Dorothy was an active member of College Hill United Methodist Church, serving as President of the United Methodist Women. She also served as a member of the Staff-Parish-Committee, Council on Ministries, Administrative Board and Board of Trustees. Dorothy was married to John Gardner in April 1945. He died on November 4, 1945. She married Harold Froning on August 23, 1963. He died in March 1997. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert Curtis Schneider. She is survived by her two nephews, Robert (Marilyn) Schneider of Topeka, KS and Marc (Gina) Schneider of Naperville, IL; great-nephews, Scott (Erin) Schneider of Topeka, KS and Greg Schneider of Naperville, IL; and great-nieces, Darci Schneider of Naperville, IL and Rebecca Schneider of Topeka, KS. A memorial has been established with College Hill United Methodist Church, 2930 E. 1st, Wichita, KS 67214. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.