Sylvia Grace Frase

On December 23, 2014, Sylvia Grace Frase was taken home to her Lord and Savior. She was born on January 18, 1924, in Galletin Gateway, Montana, to Murl Ray Alexander and Velma Gertrude (Keller) Alexander. She had four sisters, Rae, Fae, Phyllis and Donna JoAnne, and one brother, Murl Victor Alexander. Sylvia moved to Olympia in 1932 where she attended Roosevelt Elementary and Olympia High School. She returned to Montana and graduated from Galletin County High School in 1942. She then moved to San Diego, California, to work at an aircraft plant to help out with the war effort. From 1944 to1953, she worked for the state of Washington as a secretary. During this time, she met Jack Louis Kernodle, and they were married on January 24, 1948 in a double marriage ceremony with her best friend, Ruth, and her husband to be, Chuck. Because her husband was in the Army, they were stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, where she fell in love with a three-month-old boy in an orphanage and adopted him on the spot. This was her first child, James “Jimmy” Allen Kernodle. Sadly, he was killed in an automobile accident in 2009. They returned to Olympia, and shortly after, her daughter, Velma, was born in 1957, followed by her son, Thomas Andrew, who was born in 1959. She returned working for the State of Washington as an executive secretary for three insurance commissioners. She was known for her typing speed and was given the title of “Maestro of the Typewriter.” She also worked for the Washington State Fire Commissioner. She loved her job and couldn’t wait to get there daily. It was never work for her but pure enjoyment. She decided to change careers when her grandson was born. She became a fulltime Grandma and babysat both her grandson and granddaughter daily. They were the joy of her life. Sylvia divorced but remarried “The Love of her Life,” Sherman Thomas Frase. They were married for 32 years before his passing in 2008. Sylvia is survived by her daughters, Velma (Larry) Boyd, Carol Smith, Janice (Dennis) Sharp; and son, Andy Kernodle; along with her brother-in-law, Rick Newell. She has several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved her family. Sylvia was a very charitable person and gave financially to many needed charities. She also spent endless hours helping out those in need. She volunteered for the Freedom Foundation, her church, and feeding the homeless. We would like to thank several people who helped enrich her life these past few years. First we would like to thank the staff and residents of The Colonial Inn for making her feel like she was “home,” along with her caregiver, Angelina, who helped her with her daily needs. We also would like to thank the staff of Garden Courte Memory Center who assisted with daily care, and gave her support and showed compassion all the way to her passing. We can’t thank you enough. Thank you Dr. Bryan Morris-Ward for all of the care you gave to our mom. You are a champion for the elderly. We have been so blessed to have you as her physician. And finally to her best friend, Maxine, who would call her daily even when our mom could no longer converse. There will be a private celebration to honor this great lady. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to give to your charity of choice. That would be the best way you could honor the legacy of our mom. Please leave memories of Sylvia or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.