Gloria Ann (Vail) Fruechting
Gloria Ann (Vail) Fruechting, 72, passed away at her home Thursday, June 19, 2008, after a four-year battle with cancer.
She was born September 16, 1935, in Alva, Okla., to Russell William Vail and Ruth Elizabeth Novinger Vail Behnke. She married Duane Fruechting on May 27, 1956, at the Plains United Methodist Church. He preceded her in death.
Her growing-up years were divided between Plains and Bushton, where she graduated in 1953. She spent some time at Friends University, Southwestern College and graduated from the Kate Estella Koch Practical Nurse School in Pittsburgh, PA.
Gloria worked as a nurse at the Meade District Hospital and in Dr. W. W. Orrison’s office along with raising three children. She became a full-time wife, mom, cook and farm hand, driving the grain trucks and delivering meals to Duane and numerous hired men.
Gloria’s community involvement included being a member of EHU and volunteering her time as a piano accompanist for the young people in the Plains school system. Her church involvement included being a member of the Plains United Methodist church, UMW, WCTU and serving on numerous church committees. Gloria served the Lord as the organist for nearly 50 years at PUMC. Her love of music was evident in her own playing of the organ and piano, but also as an encourager to others to play the piano, tuba, clarinet and saxophone.
Gloria is survived by her three children and their families, Vail and Pam Fruechting, Wichita; Ann Metzger and husband, Jack, Berryton, and Julee Schmidt and husband, Gary, Lynden, Wash.; a sister, Joyce Knott, Plains; a brother, Russell O. Vail, White Lake, Mich.; a stepbrother, Don Behnke, Bedford, Texas; and a stepsister, Karen Behnke, Oxnard, Calif. She leaves behind numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
Her loving husband, Duane; her parents, Russell W. Vail and Ruth E. Behnke; and her stepfather, LaVerne Behnke, preceded Gloria in death.
The funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 23, 2008 at the United Methodist Church, Plains, with the Rev. Steve Morgan presiding. Burial will be in the Plains Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Plains United Methodist Church in care of Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, 212 S. Fowler, Meade, KS 67864.