Colleen J. Friederich

Colleen J. Friederich, 84, of Manhattan, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2019.

She was born October 20, 1934, in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of Oran Allen and Mary Evelyn (Mounts) McAllister. She was a graduate of Burns High School, Burns, Kansas and graduated from nurses training in Newton, Kansas.

Colleen worked with Dr. George Bascom in Manhattan and later was employed as an acquisitions librarian at the Farrell Library and also as it was renamed Hale Library at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, retiring in 1999.

She was a member of Riley United Methodist Church, later attending Keats United Methodist Church, where she was an active member of the United Methodist Women and was a Life-Time active Member of American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Post No. 17 of Manhattan. She was a Girl Scouts of America leader while living in Riley, Kansas. During the course of her lifetime in Manhattan, she was a 20 year hospice volunteer, an American Red Cross Disaster Relief volunteer traveling to several locations including Hurricane Katrina twice, a volunteer with North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging and volunteered for Meals On Wheels. Colleen was a cancer survivor of over thirty years and every year thereafter participated in the Relay for Life either as a team captain or team member. She was also proud to be a long time supporter of KTWU public television. Colleen was also a Kansas City Barbeque Society Certified Judge. This had her traveling to contests in many towns in multiple states including Memphis in May.

Colleen married Meredith C. Litchfield on May 7, 1953. She later married Robert W. Friederich in November of 1979. She is survived by her daughter, Terry Jo Litchfield; her friend and ex-husband, Meredith C. Litchfield; two sisters, June and Crystal; her brother, Robert; Mosteller cousins LeMoine and Bunny and many others; several nieces and nephews; several great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews; two sisters-in-law, Jody and Beula; her beloved classmates Arlene, Huey, and John. Her close friends, Peg and Jonathan, Greg and Gary, Father Richard, Christy and Jack, Pastor Barb, Phyllis and Kathy; step-son, Rick (Joni); step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Allen, Joe and Grover "Butch"; her sister, Marilyn; and her niece, Kelly; and special friend, Charles "Chas" Mackender.

Colleen was an avid reader, and also loved playing cards, especially Hand and Foot, Progressive Rummy, Jokers, and Golf, as well as enjoyed playing Cribbage and Bunko. She was also a dedicated crossword puzzle worker. During the summers she looked forward to going to the city band and the Arts in the Park concerts. The Heart of America Shakepeare Festival was something she treasured attending every year. Colleen was a Chiefs fan, and before that in earlier years her favorite NFL football player was Roger Staubach. She was a K-State men's basketball fan and men's football fan to which she was a season ticket holder for forty years and a former member of the President's Club. She played softball on a city team for several years. The out-of-doors was something she liked alot and included activities such as fishing, camping, and cooking on the grill. She was also a foodie and cooked the best fried chicken ever. Throughout her life Colleen was well known for her generosity and willingness to help others.

Cremation has taken place. Colleen's celebration of life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday June 22, 2019 at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church chapel, 2900 Kimball Avenue, Manhattan, KS.

Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel in Topeka is assisting the family.

At Colleen's request, and to honor her memory, please consider becoming a tissue and organ donor. Colleen's charitable donation is to the Rheumatology Research Foundation.

To leave a special message for Colleen's family, please visit the guestbook below.