Jennifer A. Towle

Jennifer (Abrahamson) Towle, an outspoken, opinionated, silly, and loving lady, finally transitioned to the other side on June 22nd, 2018 where she was greeted by her grandparents, after an annoying 6.5-year imprisonment from glioblastoma brain cancer. Friends, family and acquaintances are invited to a Celebration of Life to be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday the 14th of July 2018 at Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Road, Topeka, Kansas 66611. The service will be followed by a light reception and an open mic to share your favorite or wacky stories about Jennifer/Mrs. Towle. If you won't be able to attend or don't want to share on the mic but have a good story, please email your story to onwardupward4jen@gmail.com.

Jennifer was born November 22, 1968, in Lawrence, KS, to the coolest parents and role-models ever, Dan and Carol Abrahamson. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1987, attended KU from 1987 - 1990 and then K-State from 1990 - 1994, which was way long, but she had lots of fun doing it. She graduated from K-State with a BS in Art Education and a BFA in Ceramics. She later earned her MS in Curriculum/Instruction from Emporia State University. She taught Art at Emporia High School from 1994 - 1998 and Santa Fe Trail High School from 2001-2012, when the cancer kidnapped her. Her years at SFT were the best, and it was there that she discovered her love of teaching and found her voice as an advocate for the underdog.

Jennifer married her best friend, Frank Towle, on July 13, 1996, a year to the day after meeting him on a blind date. They lived in Osage City for 14 years before moving to Topeka in 2010. Jennifer is survived by her husband and best friend, Frank (Topeka) and their amazing daughters Amarais and Dolci who are both students at The University of Kansas. Frank and Jennifer thank God every day for giving both of their children the positive parts of their parents' genes. Jennifer is also survived by her parents, Dan & Carol Abrahamson, siblings Emily (Rick) Cates, Heather Williams, and Rik Abrahamson all of Lawrence, many delightfully ornery nephews, nieces, grand-nieces, two dogs, and a whole bunch of chickens that she frankly never cared for anyway unless she cooked them.

Jennifer was a gregarious introvert who loved her alone-time, music, art, pondering the universe, deep meaningful conversations, asking lots of questions, and she had a weakness for sweets. She had many virtues: loving stubbornness; patience when deserved; intelligence and open- mindedness; humor and a wonderful laugh; an ability to ponder the good and bad in the world; artistic ability, a way with words; and an instinct for being with her family, students, and colleagues in the best possible way. Jennifer was an active life-long United Methodist and most recently a member of Countryside United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, which will just die anyway, Jennifer suggests you donate to one of the following:

The Towle Children College Fund…because education is power, but it's also expensive! Jennifer was a life-long learner and has passed this passion onto her children. Send to: Towle Children College Fund account #7181. Landmark National Bank 6010 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66615.

Children's Mercy Hospital…because they've been so good to us since Dolci was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 2008. Children's Mercy Hospital has done amazing things for families in need. I have always wanted to give back in some way. www.childrensmercy.org/help-our-kids/

National Brain Tumor Society…because people shouldn't be dying from this brain cancer stuff. http://www.cancerresearch.org/giving-to-cri/honor-memorial-giving

In honor of Jennifer, please laugh. Laugh a lot. Life is too short to complain and whine and mope around. Make your own sunshine and seek reasons to laugh.

Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. is assisting the family. To leave the family a special message online, please visit www.DoveTopeka.com.