Nancy Margaret Fruehe (Parks)
1938 - 2022

Oakhurst CA — Nancy Margaret Fruehe (Parks), age 84, peacefully passed away on Friday December 2nd, 2022. The world lost a great woman that loved everyone unconditionally and was kind and caring.

She leaves behind her husband of 64 years Robert "Bob" Franz Joseph Fruehe and her children; sons Robert "R.J.", William "Bill", Timothy and wife Barbara, John and wife Tina and daughter Alice; her Grandchildren Jillian and husband Forest, Kyle and wife Sarah, Tanya and husband Zack, Skylar (whom will welcome her in heaven), Conner, Kirbee and husband Robert, Johnny, Cameron, Wyatt, Cassie, and Dillon; her great grandchildren Kaira, Hazel, Merritt and Mackenzie; her brother John D. Parks and wife Susan; numerous nieces and nephews and many close friends. Nancy had many close relationships with her extended family and so many families on Kelly Circle in La Palma.

Born on the 4th of July, 1938 in Los Angeles, she was the daughter of Walter M. Parks and Bonnie Elizabeth "Betty" Barney of Mason City Iowa, whom ventured West in the mid 1930's. Her parents divorced when she was young and Walter would later marry Ellen Daniels. Her challenging childhood gave her the lifelong convictions to be the best Mom she could be, and she was like no other.

After graduating from San Mateo High School in 1956, she attended nursing school in LA at the County Hospital. In 1956, future husband Bob and his buddies went to Cliffie Stones Hometown Jamboree in Compton, where he met Nancy and her friends. Dancing and hooking up was alive and well. Several nights a week, they ventured over to Olivera Street for taquitos (something the family has done for decades). Bob had to get her back by 10pm curfew or he would face the wrath of Miss Bumpus. In 1957, Bob was drafted into the Army thanks to Eisenhower and while stationed in Alabama at Fort Rucker, he received a daily love letter from Nancy.

Bob doesn't recall the proposal, but she wanted to get married and they both knew Bob would get more pay from the Army which they could save up, so they almost spontaneously bolted to Las Vegas. They stayed at the then new Stardust, got married at the little white chapel for $15 and then had lunch at the Calico Mine at Knott's Berry Farm on the way home. As Nancy had become close with Bob's mother Fern, Bob's folks both knew of their plan to get married but they didn't tell Nancy's folks as they would have been opposed given the short courtship. Upon returning, Ellen said I don't want that boy here for Christmas and Nancy said well, too bad, we are married.

Nancy had a brief career as a nurse given she had 4 boys in 7 years, but she kept her Nursing license current for decades just in case. In 1966, Bob and Nancy moved with their 4 children to Kelly Circle in LA Palma, CA which would be their home of 37 years. She became a stay at home mother and herded the kids to endless school events and sporting events. She loved the annual Thanksgiving visits to Clifton's and Christmas gatherings with her brother John and the Parks family and Bob's side of the family (mother Fern and Andre, Sister Lela and Dwight and their clan).

Nancy became active in the community volunteering on the Hotline for those in need and with Tough Love. She had the kindest heart and would give you the shirt off her back. She took in lost pets, injured wildlife, and many a teen in need. Her crowning moment was signing up to open her home in 1976 to two young Vietnamese refugees. This came through the Methodist Church where she was active for many years. The two gentlemen came with little English or money, but Nancy and the family welcomed them and helped them finish their schooling, attend college, buy a home and share in their many accomplishments. She was so proud of Cong Nguyen and Trung along with Cong's Uncle Son, wife Yi and family whom she helped bring to the US in 1980.

Nothing gave her more joy than strolling in the outdoors. One of Nancy's passions in life was to gather her family for a reunion in Yosemite. What started with a small group in 1987, grew to huge groups that included most everyone listed above and man of their friends. Nancy insisted on paying for all of her kid's cabins and this tradition ended up lasting for 25 years, with so many memories throughout the valley (including floods and rockslides). Nancy faithfully made the reservations on departure day so we could all get together in a place that millions visit and far more wish they could. It's one of the most special and serene places on the planet Nancy enjoyed many trips to Kauai with Bob, where they stayed at her Brother John's place. For a women who rarely traveled or boarded airplanes and didn't even drive on freeways, she would jump at the chance to visit Kauai. Along with Butterfield in Temecula and Yosemite, the Hawaiian Islands were her Happy Place.

In her late 70's, Nancy entered a world none of us had experienced or were ready for when signs of Dementia started. It's a truly cruel disease that this clean living woman with pristine character did not deserve. Thankfully she maintained a happy and positive disposition, lived in the moment, kept us laughing with so many unfiltered comments, and let go of her fears (eating more adventurously and even returning twice in Hawaii). For years, she would ask Bob and Tim year round and perhaps thousands of times, are we doing gifts for Christmas? Well Mom, you were always the only gift we needed, the greatest gift of all and you need never again worry about gifts!

A celebration of her life is being planned, to include spreading her ashes in Yosemite, something she always wanted. She was a gem and will be sorely missed. Whoo wee!!