William Edward "Ed" Froelich

William Edward “Ed” Froelich

William Edward “Ed” Froelich, 93, Hays, formerly of Walker, died Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Via Christi Village.

He was born June 7, 1925 in McAllen, Texas the son of Jonas and Sylvia (Cox) Froelich.  He was a medic in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was stationed in the Philippine Theater and near Guam.  He was awarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds received during the war.  On April 22, 1947 he was united in marriage to Dolores A. Stroemel at St. Ann Catholic Church in Walker, Kansas.  They celebrated over 63 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on July 13, 2010.  He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Walker, the Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #2794 in Gorham, and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #6240 in Russell, Kansas.  He enjoyed playing Pinochle and the game Aggravation, gardening and growing roses, and he was very charitable and giving.  He loved to polka and square dance with his wife Dolores, and he possessed a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes.

Survivors include a daughter; Margie Hawk and husband Duane of North Platte, Nebraska, a son; Van Froelich and wife Darla of Walker, Kansas, a brother; Morris Froelich, Sr. and wife Mary Ann of Gorham, Kansas, a sister; Ina Bell Wilkerson of Dighton, a sister-in-law; Twila Froelich of Russell, two step-granddaughters; Cindy Halstead and Tiffany Sanford and fiancé Chad Hammerschmidt, five step-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dolores, and by four brothers; Art, Albert, Donald, and Elmer Froelich.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, November 30, 2018 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Walker with Fr. John Schmeidler officiating.  Inurnment will follow in the St. Ann Cemetery with military honors by the Hays and Russell VFW Honor Guard.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Thursday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, and from 9:00 am until service time on Friday at the church.  A vigil service will be at 6:00 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 6:30, both on Thursday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to Hospice of HaysMed or to St. Ann Cemetery, Walker, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences and memories of Ed may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com

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