Kristine Frielink

Kristine “Kris” E. Frielink, age 69, of Kaneville, passed away on August 2, 2018, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family.
Kris was born in Aurora, IL, on March 12, 1949, to proud parents Robert and Mary Lou (Lamme) Miller.
Most of her early childhood found Kris living on the East side of Aurora with her father, brothers and sisters. At the age of 13 she moved to Sugar Grove to live with her mother.
Kris graduated from Kaneland High School in 1967. She was very active throughout her high school years, participating in Blackfriars, Chorus, Cavaliers Writing Club, Latin Club, Medical Careers Club, Class Secretary, Class Vice-president, the Pennon Year Book, Pep Club, Student Council, Girls Athletic Association, Social Chairman and a Statistician for Basketball and Track. When it came to 4-H, she was the master pie baker, sometimes baking a dozen pies before settling on one for submission. She also donated any free time as a Candy Striper. After graduation she started classes for a career in nursing.
Kris met the love of her life in October 1968 that led her into a whirlwind romance culminating in the exchange of vows in April of 1969. After their two hearts became one, they began their new life in North Aurora. The family moved to a home on the Westside of Aurora a year later when Andrew was born. Adam joined the crew in April of 1974. The family moved to their present home outside of Kaneville that Summer.
In 1977 Kris started a ceramics shop in the basement of the family home where she poured molds for ‘greenware’, taught classes and created unique items that were painted, fired and then sold at various local events, craft shows, flea markets and of course the Purple Store in Kaneville. Through her teaching, many of her students became lifelong friends. In 1984 Kris decided to explore working out of the house in addition to continuing her ceramic business. She soon found a position as the office manager for Graphic Label company in Sugar Grove. After the company was sold she returned home to work on her crafts. When the boys started college she again returned to outside work, this time in the office at Dunteman Turf Farms in Kaneville. After both boys graduated from college she semi-retired to enjoy her crafts and the frequent visits by the growing number of grandchildren, adding grandmother, babysitter, nurse, teacher, counselor, cheerleader and chauffer to her list of credentials.
Immediately after moving to the Kaneville area Kris became an active member of the Kaneville United Methodist Church where she served as the Sunday School superintendent, taught Sunday school and vacation bible school, served on the church administrative council and participated in the LaKelvine ladies’ group. For many years she organized the Bethlehem Walk where the church basement was converted into scenes depicting the time of Christ’s birth. She also worked on the Cookie Walk and any other fundraiser where she could help. During the Beef Supper she setup an area where she sold her handmade crafts featuring her ceramics, Ukrainian Eggs, greeting cards and Zentangles, with most of the proceeds donated to the church. She was a devoted Cub Scout Den Mother, a consistent room mother for her boys at the grade school and consummate chaperone for any school activity.
It was impossible for Kris to stay idle. Ever. She never missed a school performance or sporting event for her boys, even the football games in the freezing rain or windblown cross country meets. As long as she was able, she attended every school performance that her grandchildren were in. Outside of her activities through the church, Kris was “queen of her craft”, always busy teaching many of the local ladies how to finish ceramics and upholding her title as “the card lady”, handcrafting and sharing hundreds of three-dimensional greeting cards. Creating crazy intricate designed Zentangles was yet another hobby. Another title she wore proudly was that of the “egg lady”, showcasing her hand made Ukrainian eggs. Several friends would meet one night each week throughout the Spring to share family stories while creating new egg designs. Art was her passion and she fed it regularly, always learning new skills. When it came to family, no one could top “Mimi” in the grandmother department. Kris loved helping with the grandkids and she spoiled them rotten. When they were with Mimi, all the rules were thrown out the window. The sign over the kitchen door that read “I can at Grandma’s” was mostly true. On the rare instances that “counseling and guidance” was necessary, it was swift and to the point, followed by a hug and a kiss. Summer time was Camp Mimi time and it was open every Tuesday for all 5 of her grandchildren. She always spent time with them playing games, teaching crafts, creating ‘art’ and of course refining their cooking skills. At the end of the day there were always dozens of cookies and several deserts trays to take home. For the past 10 years she was fortunate enough to have all the grandchildren spend New Year’s Eve at the house. What a noisy time that was, beating pots, pans and cookie sheets with wooden spoons at Midnight. She was never concerned with the dents or broken spoons. Weekends often brought the family together for fun times and unforgettable memories. Kris was fiercely loyal to her family and she played the role of Matriarch to a “T”. When her Mom moved to Arizona, it was left to Kris to uphold all the family traditions and to schedule and manage almost every holiday gathering. When you came to the Frielink house, you could be sure you were well fed, not only with food, but with family stories, and would leave bursting with both. She was happiest when surrounded by all of her family.
Kris is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Dick; two sons: Andy (Becky) Frielink and Adam Frielink; five grandchildren: Gabe, Grace, Jack, Hannah, and Cara; six siblings: Bob (Karen) Frohlich Jr., Karen Burdsall, Becky (Greg) Slack, Tim (Judy) Miller, Brad Miller and Jim (Liz) Frohlich; a step-mother, Rose Miller and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Miller and Mary Lou Frohlich; a step-father, Robert Frohlich; three siblings: Larry Miller, Jeff Miller and Jeffery Frohlich.
A visitation will be held 10:00 AM on September 1, 2018 at the Kaneville United Methodist Church, 46W764 Main St., Elburn, IL 60119. A service to celebrate her life will follow at 11:30 AM. Interment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Kris’s name. Checks may be made to the “Kristine Frielink Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A service to celebrate her life will follow at 11:30 AM.

A visitation will be held 10:00 AM on September 1, 2018 at the Kaneville United Methodist Church, 46W764 Main St., Elburn, IL 60119.

Interment will be at a later date.