Eloise Jane Frey

Eloise Jane Frey was born and raised in Higginsville, Missouri to Dena Mabel and Leslie Waltmar Hader. She was born on October 29, 1930, toward the beginning of the Great Depression. The strength of her mother, father, family, and community took the challenges of that era and transformed them into the character, wisdom, and love that Eloise lived and shared with others throughout her life.

Eloise attended Higginsville High School where she caught the eye of Robert (Bob) Frey, her husband-to-be. As high school sweethearts Bob would eagerly wait for Eloise to finish her shift at the local dime store, hoping for a chance to walk her home. Following graduation Eloise attended Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, Missouri, earning an associate’s degree in business. Although Bob attended the University of Missouri, he persistently pursued a long-distance relationship. They were married on November 17, 1950.

Bob and Eloise enjoyed their life together. During the early years of Bob’s career, either as an officer in the Air Force, or as a young executive with Sears, they made lasting friendships and became part of the community wherever they lived. They loved life and loved others.

In 1967, Eloise, Bob, and their three children moved to Overland Park, Kansas where the family established deep roots. Their home was full of life and laughter and quickly became the center of a growing community of family and friends. The family grew and Bob and Eloise warmly welcomed the new members – especially the grandkids! As new grandparents, Bob and Eloise earned the endearing nicknames “Bobbo and Mitch”. Mitch spent countless hours with her grandchildren teaching them to tie their shoes, to knit, bake cookies, offering them sage advice, and loving them unconditionally. She made her home and beloved porch a haven for family. And while Eloise would secretly have preferred a more traditional grandmother’s name, for the past 32 years she has been affectionately referred to as Mitch by those who know and love her.

Mitch (Eloise) truly embraced her role as a mother, grandmother, and a friend. The legacy of strength, love, and wisdom that she received has been faithfully passed on to those around her.

Bob and Eloise were married 54 years until Bob’s passing in 2004. Because of her strength and independence Eloise was able to remain in her Overland Park home until 2024 when she moved to The Heritage of Overland Park.

On Friday, August 1, 2025, Eloise died peacefully of natural causes with family at her side.

Eloise is survived by her sister, Doris Huber of Overland Park, Kansas; her three children and spouses, Steve and Cindy Frey of Weston, Missouri, Jeff and Barb Frey of Vancouver, Washington, and Lyn and David Carnes of Overland Park, Kansas, and her honorary daughter Maria Aldrich of Overland Park, Kansas. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Chapman Frey; her parents Dena and Leslie Hader; and her brothers Dwight Hader and Donald Hader.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff of Ascend Hospice and The Heritage of Overland Park for the compassion and care they provided Eloise and the family. We are truly grateful!

Services will be held at Hillcrest Covenant Church in Prairie Village, Kansas at 10:00 am, Thursday, August 7, 2025. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in remembrance of Eloise to Ascend Hospice, 4550 W. 109th Street, suite 210, Overland Park, KS, 66211.

To leave a special message for her family or to share a memory of Eloise, please visit the guestbook below.