Jenny Elder 1938-2026
Our dear mother, Genevieve (Jenny) Lea (Frakes) Elder, 87, of Havensville, passed away from heart failure on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Community Hospital Onaga.
Jenny was born at home in Valley Falls on Oct. 8, 1938, the fourth of eight children born to Charles Leonard Frakes and Margaret Lucille (Wenzl) Frakes.
A lifelong resident of northeastern Kansas, she graduated from Mount St. Scholastica Academy in Atchison in 1956 and began employment at Merchants National Bank in Topeka. There, she met and married Don Charles Elder in 1959. They were married for 63 years and raised eight children in the Havensville community. Jenny also worked at Community Hospital Onaga for more than 10 years in the lab and central supply departments.
Jenny loved baking and was well-known for making cinnamon rolls and buns for family and friends. She enjoyed reading, embroidery, dancing and playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jenny was a member of the St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church where she and Don taught pre-marriage classes to many young couples over the years.
Jenny was preceded in death by her husband Don; her parents; and siblings, Lucy Frakes, Donald Frakes and Joseph Frakes.
She is survived by her two sisters, Betty Reichart, Plattsmouth, Neb., and Annie Hosler, Winchester; two brothers, Edmund Frakes, Fremont, Calif., and Ralph Frakes, Albuquerque, N.M.; four daughters: Dona Flowers (Shannon), Havensville, Edana McSweeney (Arthur), Westwood, Denise Sweet (Delbert), Holton, and Mary Theis (Chris), Lee’s Summitt, Mo.; four sons: Brad Elder (Farrah), Olathe, Greg Elder (Donna), Seneca, Mark Elder (Annette), Topeka, and Matt Elder (Lisa), Lawrence; 21 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 10 at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, 308 E. Third St., Onaga, with a rosary at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 11 at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church with inurnment at a later time.
Memorials are suggested to Fairview Cemetery (at Havensville) or St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66426 Website: mercerfuneralhomes.com
“When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.” Jenny’s deep love of family and sense of humor continues to be shared by her family and many friends who will dearly miss her energetic spirit.
(PAID OBITUARY)
