Elizabeth "Betty" Dronen

Elizabeth “Betty” Fredenburg Dronen, age 92 of Paris,TN died Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at her home surrounded by her family.

Betty, formerly of Charleston, SC, Peoria, Il, Joliet, Il, Grenoble, France, Quincy, IL and Minneapolis, MN, was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Paris, TN and the Theresians of the United States, the James Island, SC Chapter, where she held various officer positions. Betty enjoyed volunteering at Nativity Church, SC where she read to children and served as a Eucharistic Minister.  Betty was proud of her prison ministry and of her work at St. Augustines Home of Peoria.  In retirement, Betty enjoyed family, book club, shrimping, crabbing and collecting shells while walking the beach.

Betty was loved not just by our extended family, but to generations of women whom Betty had advocated for most of her adult life.

Born May 18, 1928, in Northfield, MN, she was the daughter of the late Clarence G. Fredenburg and the late Catherine Turner Fredenburg.

She was married December 27, 1948, to Wilbur B. Dronen, who preceded her in death on October 26, 2011.

Betty is survived by four children, Deborah L. (William) Pasdertz of Paris, TN, Gregory D. (Patrice) Dronen of Lebanon, OH, Keven D. Dronen of North Charleston, SC, and Mark A. (Melissa) Dronen of Glen Ellyn, IL; one sister, Joan Dee of Charleston, SC; one brother, David Fredenburg of St. Louis Park, MN; one son-in-law, Steven Kruse of Maple Grove, MN; 15 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Paula M. Kruse; four sisters, Catherine Revels, Dorothy Lennander, Patricia Langlois, Colleen Stauffenecker; and three brothers, Jack, James, and Eugene Fredenburg.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap St. PO Box 788, Paris, TN 38242. The body is to be cremated with a memorial funeral mass at 10:00am January 30, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church Paris, TN.  There will also be a celebration of life held at a later date in Minneapolis, MN where she will be buried.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in her name to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Henry County Medical Center Hospice, 311 East Wood Street, Paris, TN 38242 or James Island Theresians, 3920 Regal Oak Lane, John’s Island, SC.