Obituary of Olive Irene Frauenfelder

The lone Wulf has gone to heaven to join her Wulf pack. Olive Irene (Wulf) Frauenfelder, of Wamego, Kansas passed away at the Hospice House in Topeka, KS on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. She had just turned 87, in July.  She was the 14th of 15 children to Henry D & Ruth Eva (Davis) Wulf on a farm west of Stickney in rural Center township of Aurora County SD.  Her South Dakota connections called her Olive, but she preferred to be called Irene. 

Irene married Vernon Kuyper on January 15, 1954 in South Dakota. Verna Mae, Irene “Kay”, Beverly Faye, and Joey were born from this marriage. They lived in Stickney, SD, Colorado Springs, Co and Manhattan, KS until they divorced. She met Leo V. Kaufholz & had Nancy Ann, Helen Ruth, Leo “David”, & Valerie Jean. On March 6, 1971, She married Galen Wayne Frauenfelder in Manhattan Ks.  They started raising their Granddaughter Angelina (NIcki) Kuyper, spring of 1977.  Angelina lived with her most of her later years and took exceptional care of her until the end.  Irene, Galen, & Angelina hosted Anja Lull, an Exchange student for the 1992-93 school year from Germany, Anja and her family were a large part of her life, She really enjoyed the Sunday morning video calls as well their September 2023 visit.

Irene had many things that brought her joy throughout her life.  She loved spending time with her family. The weekend night suppers that usually ended up playing some 10 point pitch. She always looked forward to the June trip to South Dakota for the Wulf Family Reunion in the Stickney City Park. She loved to travel by car or plane.  She vacationed throughout the US but she loved to visit the Black Hills of SD. She loved gaming in Deadwood especially on her Birthday. Angelina took her to Germany to see Anja as well as Berlin & Munich areas in Spring, 1999. That was the first time she flew in a plane and loved it. Irene won a trip for two to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and took Angelina in March of 2004. She loved embroidering as well as sewing, mending and hemming garments. Irene loved bowling for Clays Auto Service and Square Dancing with Galen in the early 70’s. She also enjoyed reading almost anything but especially new releases from her favorite authors. Irene loved various TV programs but would totally ignore everything when Jeopardy was on even if it was reruns. In 2000, Irene and Angelina moved to the Black Hills of Western South Dakota and lived for 16 years.  She really enjoyed her years living in the Black Hills.  

She had been employed in many careers throughout her life mostly in Manhattan.  She assisted in the family farm known as “the dump” as a child until they moved into town. She worked in almost every aspect of a restaurant. Irene even worked as a Nurses Aide at the old St Mary's Hospital.  Her longest career was a presser in many Dry Cleaners but mainly for Stickles Cleaner in Aggieville of Manhattan.  

Irene was survived by Angelina Kuyper, of the home, Verna Mae & Duane Hopper of Milford, KS, Kay & Richard Dinora of Manhattan KS, David Kaufholz and close friend Cindy Louk, St George. KS.  Her Grandchildren were: Eugene & Melissa Turnbull, Wamego, KS; Kacy & Jennica Turnbull, St George, KS; Angus & Keri Brown, St. George, KS; Bridget Wade, Wamego, KS; Shaun & Andrea Wade, Hutchinson. KS; Ashley & Jason Gill, Parrish, FL; Chris Dinora, Manhattan, KS. Shayne Redcay, Harrisburg, PA: Richard Louk, St George, KS.  She even had a huge amount of Great-Grandchildren;  Brady & Chelsea Johnson, Portland OR; Luke Turnbull, Manhattan, KS; Layne Turnbull & Lawsyn Rowden, St. George, KS: Kacy & Jack Crabtree, Andale, KS: Brent Wade, Manhattan KS; Olivia Inman, Mcpherson, KS; Cameron Turnbull & Taylor Falkenstine, St. George, KS, Jason Turnbull. Manhattan, KS; Mackenzie Redcay, Las Vegas, NV, Mia Wade, Manhattan KS; Adien, Logan & Sophie Redcay, Harrisburg Pa, Allyson Gill, Parrish, FL; Keyler Turnbull, St. George, KS, Cooper Gil, Parrish. FL. Bobby Dinora, Wichita KS; Dean Louk, St. George, KS;  Cianna & Abrianna Dinora, Phoenix,  AZ.  Sister-in-laws; Linda Woolard & family Susan Armsrong, Deshon, Rain, Jaiden & Elaina Armstrong, Daytona Armstrong, James & Mary Armstrong. B J, Becca & Emma Woolard, all of Wamego KS. & Agnus Wulf, Hawarden, IA. Her Exchange Daughter & family; Anja, Gunnar, Jasper, Ella, & Silas of Berlin Germany

Irene was preceded by Husband Galen W Frauenfelder in 1997,  Son: Joey; Daughters: Beverly Wade, Nancy Ann Kaufholz, Helen Ruth Kaufholz, Valerie Jean Redcay. Irene experienced the loss of  several grandchildren;  Henry (baby Hank) Dinora, Carl Dinora, Scott Redcay & Heather Redcay and Great Grandson, Chad Smith.  She also had lost her Parents, 7 brothers, Albert, Vernon, Bing, Barney, Lawrence, Richard & Little Hank,  7 Sisters,  Elaine Edinger, Henrietta Tille, Micky Darough, Pauline Greene, Violet Morrison, Laura Buck, & Bea Wulf.

A Kansas visitation will be on Wednesday, September 25 at YML Funeral Home in Manhattan from 6:30 - 8 PM. The Family will assist her in “Going Home” to South Dakota on Thursday, September 26. A celebration of Life will be Friday Night, September 27, at Marlins Restaurant meeting room in Mitchell, SD from 7-9 PM.  The funeral service will start at 11 AM with a visitation 2 hours prior at St Paul Lutheran Church in Stickney, SD, on September 28.  Irene will be interred next to Galen, her one true love, in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Crystal Lake Township, White Lake, SD.