Betty Jean Friauf

Overland Park – Memorial services for Betty Jean Friauf, 83, Atlanta, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church in Overland Park.Mrs. Friauf died Wednesday, July 18, 2007, in Atlanta, of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.She was born Nov. 12, 1923, in St. Charles, Mo., the daughter of Alfred H. and Margie Fliehman Schroer.She graduated as valedictorian of her high school. She graduated from Lindenwood College and received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago. She was a longtime resident of Lawrence.Mrs. Friauf worked as a regional supervisor for the Kansas Department of Social Services form 1971 to 1990. She was involved in the civil rights movement and had an active role in bringing the first integrated public swimming pool to Lawrence. She was active in the women’s rights movement and was a member of the National Organization for Women and president from 1990 to 1992 of the Kansas City Urban branch, where she worked toward equal pay for equal work and reproductive freedom. She ran for a Kansas House of Representatives seat in 1992 to serve the city of Olathe.She was active in Rainbow Girls of the Order of the Eastern Star and was a worthy adviser and member of the Grand Officers of the St. Charles Chapter. She enjoyed music, singing and laughing and dancing with her friends. She traveled to China, England, Australia, New Zealand and all across the U.S. She also enjoyed gardening, genealogy and spending time with her children and grandchildren.Mrs. Friauf married Robert James Friauf in 1949 in St. Charles, Mo. They divorced.Survivors include three daughters, Ann Friauf and Barbara Oceanlight, both of California, and Nancy Friauf, Georgia; and four grandchildren, Chelsea and Adrian Friauf-Evans, and Sopal and Dara Friauf-Lemons.The family will receive friends after the services at the church.The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association or National Organization for Women.