Oriel Kinley

Hastings resident, Oriel Viola Kinley, 99, passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2015, in Hastings, Nebraska.

Private family committal will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Hastings. Memorial service will be Saturday, February 28, 2015; 2:30 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church, Hastings with Rev. Berke Landrum officiating. No viewing or visitation. Memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church, Hastings or Crossroads Center Rescue Mission, Hastings.

Oriel was born in Ord, NE on December 10, 1915 to Christian A. & Dena (Martin) Sorensen.

Oriel graduated from Minden High School in 1933 and attended Hastings Business College. She married Curtis F. Froschheuser in 1936. They had two children, Larry and Christy. As a stay-at-home mother, she became active in the community as President of the PTA Council, becoming a Life member of the National Parent Teacher Association. She served as President of the Hastings Community Concerts Association and chair of the Hastings American Field Service Committee. She also worked as Administrative Secretary for the Hastings Public Schools Administration.

Following Curtis's death in 1964, Oriel became Executive Secretary to the President of the Central Nebraska Community College, serving in that capacity and as Secretary of the Board of Governors of Central Community College from 1966 to 1983.

Among her professional activities and awards, she served as President of the Nebraska Educational Office Personnel Association (NEOPA), receiving the NEOPA Employee of the Year award in 1982. In 1983, she was nominated as the National Educational Office Personnel Employee of the Year. Near the end of her tenure at Central Nebraska Community College, she authored Central Community College: The First Two Decades. Upon her retirement, an Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree from Central Community College was bestowed upon her. She was active with the Hastings Area Retired Teachers Association (HARTA).

While working at the College, she met the great love of her life, Bernard Kinley, whom she married in 1970. After retirement, she and Bernie spent winters in their motor home in Arizona, where the cultivated many lifelong friendships.

Oriel was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings, where recently she dedicated a memorial stained glass window honoring her father, Chris Sorensen and husband, Bernard Kinley.

Oriel, whose mother passed away when she was 7 years old, was of woman of great fortitude and determination, who overcame many obstacles with grace. An accident in her late teens left her with a permanent disability, but she was always grateful for life's blessings and used her many talents wisely. At age 93, she was featured in the NETV series, Nebraska Stories, making her famous cherry pies.

Oriel is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Christy and Richard Hargesheimer; step-daughters, Deb Novak and Gina McDaniel; grandchildren, Pawl (Carla) Tisdale, Robb (Lisa) Froschheuser, April (Keven) Soll, Corey Froschheuser, Christian (Sue) Froschheuser; daughter-in-law, Marlys Froschheuser; great- grandchildren, Jocelyn Tisdale and Joren Froschheuser; and many nieces and nephews.

Oriel was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dennis Sorensen; husbands, Curtis Froschheuser and Bernard Kinley; son, Larry; step-son, Kevin Kinley; and grandson, Lee (Mott-ly) Tisdale.