Shirley J. Froelke

Shirley Jean Froekle, 97, passed away October 8, 2015. A resident of Wichita since 1956, Jean, as she was called, was born in Kansas City, Missouri. She was a graduate of Paseo High School and Kansas City secretarial college. She worked as a legal secretary in the offices of Judges Gardner and Carroll in Kansas City, where a frequent visitor was Harry S. Truman. Jean was preceded in death by her parents Claude A. and Berta D. (Clark) Shepherd, her husband of 34 years George J. Froelke, and her sister Virginia L. Rardin. She is survived by her son Gerald G. and wife Kathi, Vienna, Virginia; and her daughter Marcia Coburn and husband Thomas Bracken, Chicago, Illinois; and grandchildren Kevin Froelke (Renee), Kristin Anderson (Russell), Michael Froelke, Laura Froelke (Dean Mingee) and Jenny Braido (Robert); and great-grandchildren Matt Migliore , Thomas and Alexandra Braido, and Teal, Taylor, Tash, Piper and Walker Anderson; cousin Gloria Canterbury Rakocy; 7 beloved nieces and nephews and their spouses; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. During her marriage, she lived in various cities, including San Francisco and Washington D.C., before settling into a new house on the East side of Wichita. After years as a homemaker, with a Martha-Stewart-style for details, Jean trained to become one of the first museum docents at the Mid-American Indian Center. The friendships she made there lasted throughout the rest of her life. Although she lived in the center of the country, she was fond of taking ocean cruises. She frequently helped as a judge at polling places on election days. She also became passionately interested in square dancing, becoming an active member of many local clubs, and attending the National Square Dance Convention in Washington, D.C., in 1982. And she was always a devoted friend to all animals, wild and domesticated. Over the years, she became an expert “cat whisperer,” coaxing abandoned cats to trust her so they could be rescued. She was a vivacious person, who loved life and tried to live it to the fullest; she loved people and delighted in making friends of all ages and backgrounds; she had a generous heart, always remembering everyones special days or making time to chat; and she loved animals, who returned her outpouring of affection. Services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 17 at Downing Lahey East, 6555 E. Central St., Wichita, KS 67206, with a visitation from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, October 16. The family suggests contributions to: Red Door Animal Shelter, 2410 W. Lunt, Chicago, IL 60645 www.reddoorshelter.org and Mid-American Indian Center, 650 N. Seneca, Wichita, KS 67203, www.theindiancenter.org