Jane Frese Walinder

Jane Frese Walinder, 78, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 25, 2011 at her Harker Heights home. Visitation will be held Monday night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1st at LifeWay Fellowship Church, 4001 East Elms Road in Killeen, with the Reverend Skip Blancett officiating. Jane will be buried in Arlington, Texas.

Jane was born December 16, 1932, in Arlington, Texas to George and Nelle Frese. George was transferred to Fort Hood, and Jane graduated from Killeen High School in 1950. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from University of North Texas. Seeking adventure, Jane spent a year in Germany teaching. After marrying Lee Walinder in 1959, her travels around the globe continued as the wife of an Air Force pilot. The couple returned to the Killeen area in 1969. Jane taught elementary school with the Killeen Independent School District (KISD) with stints at Pershing Park, Marlboro, and Bellaire. While teaching, Jane also earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from Tarleton State University. Jane’s passion for education continued after her retirement from KISD. She spent several years as an instructor of education and student teacher supervisor for Mary Hardin-Baylor for several years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Abigail Circle, and the Wednesday Review Club. Jane also volunteered at Clifton Park Elementary school. From 2004 to 2006, Jane served on the Board of Directors of the KISD Education Foundation.

As a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother; family, education, and children were her passions. Helping others brought Jane joy and she will be missed by the many people whose lives she touched. Jane was known for her kindness, sense of calm, and love of children.

Preceded in death by her husband Lee Walinder and her parents George and Nelle Frese, Jane is survived by her two sons, David Walinder of Andrews, Texas, and his wife Kari, and James Walinder of Killeen, and his wife Karen; by her six Walinder granchildren Blake, Lindsey, Erik, Allison, Elizabeth and Reid; and by her sister Mary Bartek of Harker Heights and her brother George Frese, Jr. of Mt Carroll, Illionis.

Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church building fund or the Killeen Independent School District Education Foundation.

Arrangements under the direction of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, Killeen, TX.