Joan Frieling
July 30, 1929 — November 20, 2015
Joan Lee Frieling, age 86 years of Niles, Michigan passed away at 5:30 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2015 at Wellbrooke of South Bend (Indiana) following an extended illness. She was born on July 30, 1929 in Kansas City, Kansas to Frank A. and Susan E. (Brown) Bigham, and was a graduate of the University of Kansas (Lawrence) where she was a President of the Chi Omega sorority and a President of the Inter-Fraternity council.
On June 14, 1952 in Kansas City she married Gerald H. “Jerry” Frieling with whom she has celebrated a remarkable 63 years of marriage. She taught in elementary schools for several years. Joan was active in social and church activities including Ladies Historical Society, Meals on Wheels, South Bend Symphony, a hospital volunteer, and an elder at the First Presbyterian Church. She was a regular and a sustainer for the Junior League. She enjoyed bridge, tennis, golf, was an avid needlepointer and an enthusiastic traveler, having been to all 7 continents.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and by two sisters, Joyce Ogden and Nancy Bigham, both of Kansas City, Kansas.
Surviving family includes her husband, Jerry and their children, John B. (& Susan) Frieling of Sherborn, Massachusetts, Robert T. (& Lori) Frieling of Wayland, Massachusetts, and Nancy (& Scott) Tyler of Niles; grandchildren, Grant (& Gretchen) Frieling, Carly Frieling, Casey Frieling, Taylor Frieling, Brooke Frieling, James Frieling, Leigh (& Nathan) Parks, Sarah Tyler, and Anne Tyler; great-grandchildren, Madison Frieling and Avery Parks; and Joan’s brother, Frank (& Harriet) Bigham of Scottsdale, Arizona.
The family of Joan Frieling will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Tyler Chapel of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles. Committal will be private at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of Niles First Presbyterian Church officiating.
Contributions in memory of Joan Frieling may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.