Froelich, Nancy

County board chair, businesswoman, education leader, unifier – Nancy Froelich has served her community well.

Nancy is the daughter of Oscar and Catherine (Karr) Hoose. Her father was a prominent attorney, judge, and community advocate. While an Illinois Wesleyan University student and working at WJBC-AM, Nancy met Bill Froelich and they married on November 25, 1950. Bill passed on within this past year. Bill ran the Froelich Memorial Homes with Nancy’s able assistance. Together they had four children Susan (Paul) Laiming, Craig (Barb) Froelich, David (Kathy) Froelich and the late Bill Jr. Nancy has eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Nancy’s public service includes serving both elementary and university education, beginning with the Gridley School Board, 1959-70. While there, she helped develop the Tri-County Special Education District. From 1977 – 1994, she served on the Board of Governors of State College and Universities, including a term as chair, 1984-1989. While serving on this board, she completed her bachelor’s degree at Eastern Illinois University. During this time, she also served on the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s Citizens’ Advisory Board, followed by a term on the Board of Higher Education and five years on the State University Retirement System Board. When the University system was reorganized, Nancy was appointed to the Illinois State University Board, serving until 2006.

Nancy has always been a very practical unifier, bringing people together to solve problems and build the community. In 1981 she was appointed to the McLean County Board and then elected through 1992. She served as board chair during the mid-1980s McLean County growth spurt, when the expansion of State Farm and Mitsubishi Motors’ local establishment made McLean County downstate Illinois’ fastest growing community. She expanded the Law and Justice Center and the County Jail, established the Juvenile Detention Center, and saved the Old Courthouse, helping transform it into the McLean County Museum of History. She served as Museum Secretary for many years and was a critical advocate in its growth.

Because of her commitments, she has been honored as the YWCA’s Woman of Distinction, IWU Distinguished Alumni, Business & Professional Woman of the Year, the Bloomington Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellow, State of Illinois Preservation Award, ISU John Maitland Jr Commitment to Education Award and McLean County Mayor Person of the Year. In 1992 and 1996 she was an elected delegate to the Republican National Convention.

Nancy’s deep love for her family, her community, and her self-effacing attitude, reaching out to build consensus, is what makes McLean a dynamic community. Under her leadership, the community came together to grow, sharing prosperity and building a foundation for an educated and resourceful community.