Tillie Frazier

Tillie Sapphira (nee Koljonen) Frazier, 79, of Epoufette, formerly of Naubinway, Michigan, Astoria, Oregon and Quincy, Oregon, passed away peacefully Monday September 2, 2019, at Hospice of the EUP, Sault Ste Marie, MI, surrounded by her husband, six children and daughters in-law. She was born January 7, 1940 in Quincy, Oregon, to Ephriam Jonathan Koljonen and Tillie Elizabeth (nee Scheffler) Koljonen. She was the second eldest of 10 children and was raised in Astoria Oregon. She excelled in high school basketball and softball before women participating in sports was common and received her varsity letter. She graduated from Astoria High School in 1958. She met Ronald Harold Frazier in the summer of 1958 when he was stationed in Astoria serving in the United States Navy. On October 31, 1958, they were married at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Astoria Or. The couple honeymooned on the Grey Hound Bus crisscrossing America en route to Michigan's Eastern Upper arriving in Naubinway, Michigan November 1958. She would over the next 60 years, with her husband by her side, raise 6 children, dote on the 22 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She never missed an event or activity when rearing her children and was quick to crank out a pan of brownies when getting the notice on the way out the door to school. She was avid at sports in her own right, and instilled that competitive drive in her children and it was witnessed throughout her life during playing board games with family and friends. She was an avid supporter for any event involving her children and grandchildren. She loved to take family photos of all her children much to their chagrin each time they were assembled. She loved spending holidays and celebrating family events with her extensive family and was blessed to have them near often throughout her life. She passed on Labor Day which was fitting as this holiday was often celebrated by the family camping on their beach property on Epoufette Bay. She would, while rearing a family, help clean St. Stephens Church in Naubinway, MI, was part-owner of Charlies Restaurant in Naubinway, co-owner and operator of Frazier's Motel in Naubinway, and co-owner and operator of Little Harbor Restaurant in Naubinway, Michigan. She also served on the Hendricks Township Election Board and Board of Review while residing in Epoufette, Michigan. Some of her favorite activities included playing dominos and aggravation with family and friends, reading, gardening, doing crossword puzzles, clipping any and all articles out of printed material linked remotely to any of her family, bird watching and loved the penny machines at the various casinos. She will be most remembered by her family as the Matriarch and lived her life in an exemplary manner by focusing on family, faith, friends and fun. She was always upbeat, brave and displayed a beautiful smile even while enduring a long struggle with cancer. She was graceful as well as humble and always polite. Her faith was a cornerstone of her marriage and family and she received visits from Father Francis Ricca, Father Michael Chenier, Father Tim Hruska, Father Luke, and Pastor Dave Wallis during her struggle. Father Francis Ricca of the St. Ignatius Loyola Parrish will officiate the services at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway, Michigan on Saturday September 7, 2019. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ronald H. Frazier, six children, Patty Conguy of St. Ignace, Leroy (Leanne) Frazier of Sault Ste Marie, Harold (Jacqueline) Frazier of Sault Ste Marie, Debra (Sean) Bennett of Reed City, Elizabeth (Timothy) Zabik of Mackinaw City and Glenn (Carolee) Frazier of St. Ignace. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Nehemiah (Judy) Koljonen of Seattle, WA, brother Donald Koljonen, of CO, Steve (Barbara) Bagley of Longview, WA, brother George Koljonen, of Westport, OR, sister Bessie Tormanen, of Battle Ground, WA, sister Christine Beery, of Cornelius, OR and brother Chester (Joann) Koljonen of Battle Ground, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Norman Koljonen, brother John Wesley Koljonen, brother in-law Roger Tormanen, sister in-law Margaret Koljonen, son in-law Louis "Ike" Conguy, and grandson Nathan Andrew Bennett. Visitation will be held on Friday September 6, 2019 at the St. Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway, MI from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with wake and rosary services to follow. Services will be on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway, MI, with viewing from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., eulogy and remembrance from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., and funeral mass beginning 12:30 p.m., followed by burial at the Epoufette Cemetery and concludes with a meal at St. Stephens Church basement. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Dodson Funeral Home, St. Ignace, MI. Donations may be made in her memory to Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave, Sault Ste Marie, MI.

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Tillie Frazier

September 2, 2019