Obituary for
Betty Jane Froehlich (Banek)
Froehlich, Betty Jane, 85, of Tucson, went home to be with her Lord Jesus, on Thursday, March 9, 2017. Born November 12, 1931 in Monroe, Michigan. She gave her life to Jesus as a senior in high school and served him the rest of her life. Betty married Charles Froehlich in 1956 (deceased 1991). Survived by 5 children: Anita, Diana (Al), Erica (Darrell), Felicia, and Gregory (Brandee); and three grandchildren: Abigail, Matthew, and Zachary. Also survived by siblings: Truman, Kathleen, Katherine, Mary, and Alva. Services at Abbey Funeral Chapel, Friday, March 17, 2017, 1:00 pm. Interment National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Arrangements by Abbey Funeral Chapel 520-888-1111
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Life Story for Betty Jane Froehlich (Banek)
Betty Jane Froehlich
Thursday, November 12, 1931 – Thursday, March 9, 2017
“She looks well to the ways of her household and eats not the bread of
idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed: her husband also, and he
praises her.”
Proverbs 31:27, 28
Our mother, Betty Jane Froehlich, 85, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, after a
brief illness. She was born in Monroe, Michigan and gave her life to Jesus when she was a
senior in high school. She served him the rest of her life, and she now continues to praise him
in heaven, free from any sickness or pain. Mom was the first child of her parents, Joseph and Josephine Banek. They divorced when she was very young and her mother remarried William “B” Neikirk. Together they had five children:Truman, Kathleen, Katherine, Mary, and Alva.
Mom married Charles “Chuck” E. Froehlich in 1956, and he died in 1991. They met in Chicago,
where Mom was an occupational therapist and Dad was recuperating after suffering from polio.
Their love for the Lord brought them together, and after marrying they moved to Minneapolis
to attend Bible school. Anita and Diana were born there, and Erica, Felicia, and Greg were born
in Tucson. Her life continued to be blessed by the arrival of her three beautiful grandchildren: Abigail,
Matthew, and Zachary. She enjoyed sharing with them her life’s wisdom, and also how grateful
she was to be an American. One of our Mom’s greatest strengths was peace-making. She cultivated the relationships in her life, bringing reconciliation whenever she could, whether it be with a phone call, a letter, or a visit. “Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matt. 5:9).
She also enjoyed delving into God’s word and then sharing her insights with others. She held
the Bible in high esteem and strove to be increasingly conformed to Jesus’ image, as she loved
both him and her neighbor as herself.
Another strength was her creativity, from inventing skits and games, to writing poetry couplets,
to reciting monologues, and even to hosting a couple of radio programs. Her love of singing
also inspired us to appreciate music, from Christmas caroling at nursing homes, to being in
marching and concert bands, and to playing the piano. Almost up to the end, Betty enjoyed being part of various activities: her church, TOPS weight loss group, Jazzercise, Chuze Fitness, Curves Fitness, Joy of Living Bible study, and neighborhood association treasurer.
Both of our parents were examples to follow, as they spoke enduring Biblical truths into our
lives. We are blessed to have had such a godly woman as our mother.
Anita Jane Erica Joy Reeves (Darrell)
Betty Jane (November 12, 1931 – March 9, 2017) Felicia Ann
Charles Edward (July 21, 1931 – May 12, 1991) Gregory Edward (Brandee &
Diana Lee Rhodes (Al) children: Abigail, Matthew, Zachary)
Our Liberty Bell
Couplet by Betty Froehlich
August 2014
Have you been to Philadelphia and seen the great big bell?
It sits there for all to see and about liberty to tell.
It even has a Bible verse encircling its wide girth
To let people know just how much their liberty is worth.
I went to see the Liberty Bell in two thousand and ten (2010).
It’s in Philadelphia where a lot of good things happened a way back when.
There was a man guarding the bell so no one would it desecrate.
Isn’t that what we need to do to keep liberty alive and great?
The Liberty Bell and the Bible – a great combination
It declares liberty to all in our great nation.
The verse is Leviticus twenty-five, verse ten.
Read it for yourself and be glad you’re an American.
The Bible and the Liberty Bell – a great American tradition
The two together make an awesome unbeatable combination.
Both inspire people to be the best that they can be
And pass on to the next generation their love of liberty.
The Bible says, we shall know the truth and we shall be made free.
Isn’t that the meaning of true freedom and liberty?
To put a scripture verse on the Liberty Bell was certainly apropos (apropo),
To show all the world that the USA for the Bible is gung ho.
Truth and freedom make a strong unbreakable band
All over this God blessed and wonderful land.
Wherever free people put their feet on earth to traverse,
Let liberty ring throughout our God’s beautiful universe
