Connie K. Hanrahan

Connie Kay (Frybarger) Hanrahan, 83, of Topeka, KS, died May 8, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. 

Connie was born Feb. 12, 1942, to Lawrence and Velma (Summers) Frybarger of Emmett, Kansas.

 Growing up, Connie enjoyed riding horses and caring for a variety of pets and farm animals with her twin sister, Bonnie, and older brother, Larry.

 Connie loved music, especially classic country and 1950s-60s tunes. She played the trumpet during her years at Emmett High School. She also played guitar and often wrote sweet and funny songs to make you smile. 

She was happiest behind the wheel on a road trip singing along with the radio. Connie had a beautiful singing voice but was very humble about it.

She traveled throughout the United States and missed visiting only four states. 

Connie loved planning trips, and found unique activities, restaurants and campgrounds along the way. If you said you wanted to see something, she would start making plans.

Connie would randomly announce the family was going on a “Kansas Adventure” on a lazy Sunday. Trips included seeing the largest ball of twine (again), driving to a restaurant in Abilene because they had the best buttermilk biscuits, or going to see the Flint Hills (again). Her enthusiasm made otherwise boring trips fun.

Connie worked at Topeka State Hospital for nine months in 1963 before accepting a position at the Kansas Department of Revenue. She held a variety of job titles throughout her 48-year career including key punch operator, computer operator and systems analyst.

She loved her work and coworkers. Connie was a dedicated employee and was often the first one in the office because she “got more work done in the quiet.”

Connie married Patrick B. Hanrahan of Delia, KS, on June 4, 1966. The couple enjoyed camping, fishing, playing cards with friends, going to movies, and attending county music concerts. They also enjoyed cheering for Kansas-based sports teams, often very passionately.

When something struck Connie as funny, she laughed with her entire body. It was contagious, and soon everyone was giggling. She laughed so hard during “The Great Outdoors” that her family feared they might be booted from the movie theater. 

Connie was extremely stubborn and opinionated. She rarely backed down from an argument. You wanted her on your side. Her loyalty to family and friends was unwavering. Comments that seemed harsh came from a place of caring, so everyone usually forgave Connie for her blunt delivery.

Connie was generous with her time and helped many in need throughout her life. Her door was always open. Many family members and friends stayed in her home throughout the years because they needed a roof over their head. If she found out someone needed money for something essential, an envelope of cash for the amount needed would appear.

When Connie’s twin sister died at age 21, only a week after welcoming her son, Patrick, to the world, Connie and her beloved mother helped a grieving father raise the little boy.

In 1975, when two young neighbor girls lost both parents within the same year, Connie joined forces with the girls’ aunt, Eva Bolz, to keep them together and out of foster care. Connie and Patrick were good friends with the girls’ parents and just could not allow their late friends’ children to be separated after such a tragedy. Nickie and Jamie Holiday found a safe place to grieve their parents and quickly became part of the family.

Connie and Patrick never thought they would be able to have a biological child, so Connie was absolutely shocked when she learned she was pregnant. The couple welcomed a daughter, Brenda, to their family in 1978.

Connie was the loudest person cheering in the stands at her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. Connie never missed a violin recital, band concert, musical or play.

The difficult battle with Alzheimer’s robbed Connie of precious time with her family and friends. She remained stubborn and feisty until the end and continually surprised the caring nursing staff at The Gardens at Aldersgate and Prairie Wind Hospice with her determination and resilience after numerous setbacks.

Connie is survived by her husband, Patrick, and daughters Brenda (Chris) Hanrahan Waterman and Nickie (Eustasio) Camargo, seven grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. 

She loved and spoiled her grandchildren - Felipe, Francisco, Alesandro and Antonio Camargo; Willie and Lisa Sherley; and Declan Waterman - with the fierceness only a doting grandmother can.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Velma; twin sister, Bonnie Segenhagen; brother, Larry Frybarger; and daughter, Jamie Monroe.

A Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at Parker-Price & Davidson, 245 N.W. Independence Ave. in North Topeka. The family will receive friends following the Rosary. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at Parker-Price & Davidson. Inurnment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery, 3430 N.W. Menoken Road in Topeka. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Prairie Wind Hospice, 1031 S.W. Gage Blvd., Topeka, KS 66604.