December 9, 1925 ~ August 26, 2012
Frances Snyder Kloefkorn was born on December 9, 1925, in Belleville, Kansas. She was the second child born to Rev. Leroy Gilbert and Mary Irene (Engle) Snyder. She was greeted by an older brother, Mead. Nine years later, brother John joined the family. Frances died on Sunday, August 26, 2012, at Gracious Senior Living Bethel House where she had been lovingly cared for since February of 2011.
Frances was proud of the fact that she had been raised all over Kansas, but especially in western Kansas. She lived in Manter, Ford, Leoti, and several other Kansas locations, and could tell countless stories of life during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl days. Eventually, her father was moved to Corbin, Kansas, to shepherd the Corbin Methodist Church, and while at Corbin and attending Caldwell High School, she met Marvin Kloefkorn. They were married by her father following the church service on July 22, 1945. Marvin and Frances were a wonderful couple and shared 66 years of marriage. Marvin preceded her in death on November 17, 2011. She missed him dearly and spoke his name often, even when that was the only word she could speak.
Marvin and Frances were blessed with three daughters: Connie, Trudy, and Kathy, and two sons: Randy and Bradley. They have eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren with number ten on the way.
Frances had many odd jobs and not so odd jobs during her lifetime, but a couple of them seemed to be her favorites. During World War II and due to rubber and gasoline rationing, the Corbin community acquired an old panel truck, and Frances, still in high school, was hired to drive the students from the Corbin area to school in Caldwell. Following high school graduation, Frances received an emergency teaching certificate and taught at Hahn school for two years before starting her family. She even taught one of her brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Dean Kloefkorn, Wanda Kloefkorn Biggs, and Imogene Kloefkorn Hilton. Imogene said that she was a “fun” teacher and remembers Hobo Day when Frances had all her students come dressed as hoboes and ate lunches from their knapsacks. Other people still in the Corbin and Caldwell communities, remember her fondly as their teacher.
However, Frances’ favorite job was working beside Marvin in the Chevrolet dealership they owned in Caldwell. She kept the books for the dealership and almost always had to rush to meet her deadlines, often staying up until the wee hours of the morning. But, she was proud of the work she did and received many awards from Chevrolet in recognition of her work. Her other favorite “job” was being a mother, and especially a grandmother and great-grandmother. She doted on her grandchildren and every time a grandchild came to visit, she would put work on hold and spend time with that child. She and Marvin could often be seen at a grandchild’s music program or ballgame or cross country meet. And Christmas was a particularly special time for Frances when she spoiled them all.
Frances had two favorite hobbies. She loved her gardening and made the time each year to baby her dahlias or irises and, of course, her tomatoes and cucumbers. Frances loved arranging flowers to take to church on Sundays for worship and quite enjoyed taking flowers to the fair. Many years she won grand champion for her floral arrangement or her plant specimen.
However, her favorite hobby was photography. It was rare that she wasn’t seen without two or three cameras, and if they weren’t on her, you could bet that there was one nearby. Frances took so many pictures that often, the kids and grandkids would say, “Enough, already!” And poor Marvin got to help carry the photography equipment and drive her to the wet, wild, and stormy places that she just had to photograph at a certain time – blizzards, races on the river, a cattle drive, and SUNFLOWERS! They may have been her favorite subject (next to grandchildren). Yet, when going through the house, many forgotten times were found in those pictures and are now treasured by everyone in the family. And, several of her grandchildren have become accomplished photographers and carry on the tradition.
Family wasn’t the only thing that Frances photographed. She took pictures of every event she could attend and left a history of Caldwell and Corbin for posterity. Frances took pride in Caldwell and photographed nearly all of the historical markers, special events, and even not-so-special events. One of her favorite subjects was the Silhouettes south of Caldwell. She also supported the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce through her photography with displays found at the Sumner County Fair and state fair and other places where she could help the image of her adopted home town.
Frances and Marvin moved to Bethel House in February of 2011, where Frances was known for her lively conversations and sparkling green eyes. She was preceded in death by her husband Marvin, daughter Connie Walters, parents Rev. L.G. and Mary Snyder, brother Mead and wife Azalea. She is survived by son-in-law Larry Walters, daughters Trudy and Joe Miller and Kathy and Larry Gann, and sons Randy and Leigh Ann Kloefkorn and Brad and Patricia Kloefkorn; grandchildren Jeff and Jen Walters, Heather Walters, Megan Miller and Aaron Skreland, Leah Miller and Champak Chatterjee, Tori and Branden Bohannon, Greg and Meranda Gann, Erika and Joseph Lizotte, Gretchen and James Dreher, Heidi Kloefkorn, Christopher Kloefkorn and Katrina Kloefkorn; great-grandchildren Katy Walters, Adam Chatterjee, Bryson Gann, Taylor Bohannon, Taryn Bohannon, Reed Gann, Mason Lizotte, Boden Lizotte, and Stella Dreher; brother John and Doris Snyder; sisters-in-law Wanda Biggs and Imogene and Don Hilton, and brother-in-law Merle and Yvonne Kloefkorn, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 30, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Corbin, Kansas.
Visitation with the family present will be held at the Schaeffer Mortuary Chapel from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 29, 2012.
Memorials may be given in Frances' name to the Corbin United Methodist Church.
Interment will be in the Caldwell City Cemetery, Caldwell, Kansas.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
Jan McDaniel
Family and Friends - 08/27/2012
Frances was such a faithful Christian and organist. I remember getting after her for coming to church when she was sick. She was making trips to the bathroom between hymns!
May the knowledge that she has been reunited with Marvin in heaven and your fond memories of her life before Alzheimer's bring you comfort and peace.
Jan McDaniel
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Linda Lungren
Family and Friends - 08/27/2012
Frances was such a wonderful part of my life while growing up....through Corbin Church, MYF activities with Connie and Trudy, and the many 4-H activities. She will be missed by family and friends and we all celebrate her life! My deepest condolences to the family.
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Linda Knight Timme
Family and Friends - 08/27/2012
I am sorry to hear of Frances' passing. I'll always remember her as a big supporter of the Sunflower 4-H Club. Everything I know about square dancing I learned from her. She will be sadly missed and my thoughts and prayers are with her family.
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Sonya Kloefkorn Benavidez
Family and Friends - 08/29/2012
I was so sorry to learn of Aunt Francis's passing. She was always such a good Aunt, and I love her dearly. Saw them each time I was in town to see Mom.
She was a wonderful person and wil be truly missed by many, many people.
God bless you and comfort you in your/our loss.
Love and Blessings, Sonya
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Shirley Robinson
Family and Friends - 08/30/2012
I will miss Frances very much. When we moved to Wellington,
our church (United Methodist) bought handbells and Frances
was always supportive and helpful when needed. Our bell choirs attended many workshops and some handbell concerts together. Frances and I would do a lot of "bell" talk when
we saw each other. I will always appreciate her taking the time
to help me get started. We have rung over 30 years now and
are still enjoying it.
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Debbie Kolarik Barnes
Family and Friends - 08/30/2012
It is indeed hard to loose our parents. The Saving Grace is that they are now together again, as was noted above with the few words your mom would speak, and the fact that they no longer hurt or fee any pain. They are in the arms of the Lord. I am so glad that your parents left you with a wonderful legacy, as mine did also. It is a comfort when you want to ask them a question and they are not there. Our condolences , as a family, go out to all of you. Your parents were an amazing couple and I am proud to have known them. May the Lord watch over each one of you now and in the coming days, weeks and months.
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Ruth Bobek Archer
Family and Friends - 09/02/2012
I have always thought of Marvin and Frances with great fondness. The Bobek Family and the Kloefkorn Family enjoyed many great times together and shared many experiences. This friendship contined throughout my adult life. Dave and I always looked forward to visiting with both Marvin and Frances when we would stop in Caldwell. They were wonderful people. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
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David Lungren
Family and Friends - 09/02/2012
A little more sparkle has been added to the starry realm of heaven. It's that sparkle and joy that Frances could not help but share that I will always remember. My sympathy, prayers, and love to the family.
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Stephanie Callaway
Family and Friends - 09/05/2012
Awww.... Mrs. Kloefkorn. :-( I was the onery kid that lived next door. Rant and rave, haul butt down her sidewalk on my motorcycle and bicycles. Pick her flowers on May day, just to knock and leave them sitting outside in a bouquet, just for her, even though they were hers in the first place. :-) after 9 yrs of living next to these wonderful neighbors, and them watching me grow. We moved. And ill never forget the day I was leaving, Mrs Frances came over to give me a present. A beautiful, old fashioned perfume bottle from some other country she had gotten while visiting there, if I remember correctly. All wrapped in this cotton and in a beautiful green box. Something I still carry and have with me to this day, with every move and every storage unit I've been through. :-) May you rest in peace Mrs. kloefkorn.
