DELPHINE MARIE FREY

1933 - 2023

DELPHINE MARIE (KENNEL) FREY, 90, passed away in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Monday, June 26, 2023. Born March 17, 1933, near Strang, Neb., she was the eldest daughter of Ezra and Ellen (Springer) Kennel. Her father died in an auto accident when she was seven, leaving her mother with no means to support her two daughters. They lived with relatives for 12 years. When Delphine was 10, her mother moved to Archbold, Ohio, where jobs were more available to women. Delphine graduated from Archbold High School. On Oct. 8, 1952, Delphine married Marvin Frey, a marriage they were privileged to share for over 70 years. Early in their marriage, they moved to Fort Wayne. Delphine was a lifelong member of the Mennonite Church. She and her husband last attended Maplewood Mennonite Church. After her children were in school, Delphine worked 28 years as a teacher's aide, most of them in classes for deaf children. With her husband, Delphine helped to organize and host annual retreats for families with deaf children. She also volunteered with her husband for two weeks, advocating peace as schoolmistress and schoolmaster in a restored 1830s log schoolhouse at the Penn Alps Artisan Village, Grantsville, Md. They also volunteered for two weeks as lighthouse attendants at the restored Big Sable Lighthouse at Ludington, Mich. Delphine also enjoyed traveling. Favorite sites included Tennessee's Great Smokey Mountains, North Carolina's outer Banks, Colorado's Rocky Mountain Park, Utah's variety of national parks, historic and current Indian sites in New Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Whether at home or traveling, Delphine loved family activities. Even at age 88, she helped to provide childcare for some of her great-grandchildren. Delphine is survived by her husband; a sister, Arleta Owens; three sons and a daughter, Michael (Colleen) Frey of Royal Oak, Mich., Dayton (Gayle) Frey of Goshen, Ind., M. Drew (Tonya) Frey of Goshen, and Dawn Thomas of Fort Wayne. Survivors also include 13 grandchildren, eight in law grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Delphine was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Arlene Kennel; a daughter, Michelle (Frey) Bradford; a son-in-law, Allen Bradford; and a brother-in-law, Joseph Owens. Funeral service is 11 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Maplewood Mennonite Church, 4129 Maplecrest Road, Fort Wayne, with visitation one hour prior. Burial immediately following at Highland Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Maplewood Mennonite Church. To sign the online obituary, visit www.mccombandsons.com