Obituary of
Fruhling, Donnalyn Mae Southern
Donnalyn Mae Southern Fruhling, having lived a rich and wonderful life, full of love & family, died peacefully with David, her loving Husband, by her side, in Dallas, Texas on Friday, December 13, 2019 at 80 years of age.
She was born at home, in Bowlegs, Oklahoma to Ira Southern and Liddie Mae Bishop Southern, Saturday, November 4th, 1939.
Donna attended grade school in Illinois before moving back to Oklahoma where she attended school in Cordell, Oklahoma and High School in Tipton, Oklahoma, where she joined the Civil Air Patrol.
During High School, she worked as a nanny near Strasburg, Colorado and met the love of her life, David Henry Fruhling, who was working at his father’s store during the summer break between his sophomore and junior years of University.
Donna and David were married December 22, 1958 in Tipton Oklahoma and remained so for nearly 61 years. While David completed his Geophysical Engineering degree at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, Donna gave birth to her first child, David. Upon graduation, David joined Chevron and they moved to Jackson, Mississippi where Dana was born. Entering active duty as a commissioned Army officer, they moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where Daniel was born. After active duty, David returned to Chevron, working assignments in several cities, including Houston, Texas where Dirk was born before the family was transferred to Perth, Australia where Daryl and Denise were born.
Donna was a long-standing faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Donna served her church over many years in cities in the U.S., Australia and The Netherlands. Donna served as President of The Relief Society in several local congregations of the church. She served as a Sunday School teacher as well as a teacher and leader in the church’s Young Women’s organization, and other places where her talents of organization and leadership were needed. Donna and David together served an 18-month long humanitarian mission in Thailand in service to the Church. Active in sports, Donna organized and led women’s and co-ed basketball, softball and volleyball leagues, instilling in youth the values of hard work, discipline and teamwork, always with a firm, but loving and fun way. As an athlete herself, she competed in the Senior Olympics in Basketball. She also enjoyed playing Pickleball and Volleyball. She was loved by so many adults and children whose lives she touched.
Above all things in her life, she was a beloved wife, Mom and Nana who most enjoyed spending time with her family and traveling.
Donna is preceded in death by her parents Ira Southern and Liddie Mae Bishop Southern, and siblings Helen, Bill, J.I., and Vergil.
Left to cherish her memory are her loving and devoted husband, David Henry Fruhling and their children: David H. Fruhling II, Dana Diane Fruhling, Daniel Ira Fruhling, Dirk Andrew Fruhling and wife Sheila Fruhling, Daryl Joseph Fruhling, Denise Fruhling Shaw and husband Jason Shaw.
Grandchildren are: Heather Ann Fruhling, Christopher David Fruhling, Jamie Michelle Howard, Daniel Ira Fruhling II, Jennifer Lynn Fruhling, David Michael Fruhling, Brenden Dirk Fruhling, Peyton Kathleen Ellis, Emma Elizabeth Fruhling, Markley Elizabeth Shaw, and Rawley Kate Shaw.
The funeral service will be at 2:00 pm Friday, December 20, 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (10701 E. Lake Highlands Dr. Dallas, TX). Interment will be at 2:00 pm Monday, December 23, 2019 at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Latter-day Saint Charities www.ldsphilanthropies.org
Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.
Tribute Wall of Fruhling, Donnalyn Mae Southern
Dear Denise and family, We are so sorry to hear about Mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your families at this difficult time. She was such a sweet lady and I know she will be missed. Ashlynn says to give Rawley a big hug from her and tell her she is thinking of her and will pray for her. Love, Donna
Donna and Frank Scarmardo
Thursday October 13, 2022
Dear Denise and family, We are so sorry to hear about Mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your families at this difficult time. She was such a sweet lady and I know she will be missed. Ashlynn says to give Rawley a big hug from her and tell her she is thinking of her and will pray for her. Love, Donna
I am sorry I didn’t get to know your beautiful mother sooner. She exemplified all that I would hope to be in a mother and a wife, I was immediately drawn in by her grace and love. I can’t think of a finer, more perfect example of a proverbs 31 woman. You all were so blessed and lucky to have her in your life, and I am so glad to have gotten a small glimpse of her beautiful spirit
Melanie Ballard
Thursday October 13, 2022
I am sorry I didn’t get to know your beautiful mother sooner. She exemplified all that I would hope to be in a mother and a wife, I was immediately drawn in by her grace and love. I can’t think of a finer, more perfect example of a proverbs 31 woman. You all were so blessed and lucky to have her in your life, and I am so glad to have gotten a small glimpse of her beautiful spirit
Dearest Fruhling Family,
Our heartfelt condolences to you all. Donnalyn was loved by all that knew her. She had such a special energy about her, and was always such a lady. We love her so very much. We pray that your hearts will mend quickly,
Cherry Hickson
Thursday October 13, 2022
Dearest Fruhling Family,
Our heartfelt condolences to you all. Donnalyn was loved by all that knew her. She had such a special energy about her, and was always such a lady. We love her so very much. We pray that your hearts will mend quickly,
I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the dear sweet Fruhling family. I have wonderful memories of your Mom. She was always sweet and kind to me. I was in her home a lot in Dallas TX in the eighties, because my best friend is her daughter Dana. Sister Fruhling always welcomed me. I spent many happy hours there. She was kind enough to let me have my bridal shower in her lovely home, as well as my wedding reception. She also co-signed a lease so my husband and I could rent an apartment, when we were first married. We had no rental history. I love the Fruhling family with all of my heart. When I was in their home I was always treated with warmth and kindness. They even took me on vacation with them to Colorado one summer. My heart and prayers are with you and I’m so grateful to know the plan of salvation and know that we will all be together one day. Sister Fruhling was a wonderful human being, and divine daughter of our Heavenly Father
Kathy Powers
Thursday October 13, 2022
I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the dear sweet Fruhling family. I have wonderful memories of your Mom. She was always sweet and kind to me. I was in her home a lot in Dallas TX in the eighties, because my best friend is her daughter Dana. Sister Fruhling always welcomed me. I spent many happy hours there. She was kind enough to let me have my bridal shower in her lovely home, as well as my wedding reception. She also co-signed a lease so my husband and I could rent an apartment, when we were first married. We had no rental history. I love the Fruhling family with all of my heart. When I was in their home I was always treated with warmth and kindness. They even took me on vacation with them to Colorado one summer. My heart and prayers are with you and I'm so grateful to know the plan of salvation and know that we will all be together one day. Sister Fruhling was a wonderful human being, and divine daughter of our Heavenly Father
My condolences to the Fruhling family
for their loss.
Carl Mustari and Family
Carl Mustari
Thursday October 13, 2022
My condolences to the Fruhling family
for their loss.
Carl Mustari and Family