Linda Frazee

Linda Frazee passed away peacefully on December 19, 2015 at Elim Nursing Home in Fargo, North Dakota. She had lived with her parents, Fremont and Pauline Frazee for all but the last year of her life.

Linda was born on February 7, 1959. She had Down Syndrome. At that time, it was common practice and suggested to her parents that she be brought to the state hospital. They completely disagreed with that and brought her home. She went on to live a wonderful, fulfilling life
because of the support of her family, friends, schools, church, and community! She came into a world unsure about including handicapped people in the main stream of life and she helped those she came in contact with move toward understanding the importance and value of their presence.
She touched many lives!

Linda’s favorite times were when she was with her family and friends. She loved family
vacations, seeing the sights, but more importantly, visiting extended family. She
especially enjoyed time at the family cabin on Fish Lake by Pelican Rapids. Swimming
was one of her favorite activities. She also enjoyed helping with yard work. Making
latchhook rugs, board games (especially Yahtzee), playing cards, spending time with
family friends, and looking at family pictures were favorite ways to spend her spare time
at various stages throughout her life.

School and work were very important to Linda! As much, if not more, than the skills she
learned, she loved the people and they loved her! Other students, both in special
classes and in regular education classes, teachers, coaches, paras, and bus drivers
took a special interest in Linda. Many of them maintained contact with her throughout
her life. She worked at Productive Alternatives in Fergus Falls after high school
graduation continuing for the majority of her life. She enjoyed going to work for the
social aspect as much as she did to do her work.

Linda was involved in the community. When she was in school, she started her
involvement with Special Olympics. She participated mostly in track and swimming,
which she continued until just a few years ago. She excelled in both. A highlight of her
participation in Special Olympics was when she competed in the International Special
Olympics in California when she was 12. She was very excited when she started
getting a few red and yellow ribbons later in life because, as she stated, she was tired of
blue ribbons, she wanted a different color! Linda also participated in bowling leagues
and loved to go to dances and parties that were put on either at school or through her
work. She also helped with Sunday School at Augustana for several years. She loved
church potlucks!

Linda will be missed by many! Her positive attitude and intuitive comments often left
people shaking their heads. She had several sayings that her family adopted
throughout the years, the latest of which was, “You got to have fun!” ~ an insightful
message to us all.

Linda is survived by: her parents, Fremont and Pauline Frazee (Fergus Falls); sister
Jana Frazee (Fargo), sister, Paula Frazee-Sperling (Fargo); nephew, Luke (Megan)
Sperling (Omaha, NE); nephew, Ryan Sperling (Fargo); niece, Laura Sperling (Fargo and
Denver, CO), aunts, and several cousins.

Linda’s memorial service will be held next June; details with be announced in the
Journal closer to the date of her service.