Dora Fay Martin Frazier
Dora Fay Martin Frazier was born in Reed Springs, Missouri, on April 30, 1929, to Mary Jane Ambrose Martin and Robert Allen Martin. She passed away Sept. 9, 2018, at Brendan House in Kalispell.
She moved, with her family, to Oroville, California, as a young girl. She married her childhood sweetheart, Walter Henry Frazier, after he returned from World War II where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. They moved from place to place with Walter’s job with the California Fish and Game. They had three children: Connie Sue, Walter Eugene and Clifford Allen. Dora was a seamstress, made clothing for her children and grandchildren, and taught 4-H sewing classes (when Connie was in 4-H). She also worked as a waitress, caregiver and nurse’s aid.
She went with Walt to the California Old Time Fiddlers meets and competitions. Walt accompanied his friend, Ron Anglin (Ron on the fiddle and Walt on the guitar). Dora helped and supported him by working in the kitchen. She was an excellent cook, whether it was the wild meat Walt went hunting for (bear and mountain lion) or beans and taters, cornbread and her great biscuits and gravy. We never went hungry. Walt frequently invited his friends into their home to eat.
She and Walt were baptized (by Jesse James) at the Libby Christian Church in 1999. They lived in Troy many years before moving to their last home. It was a beautiful new home on Lower Valley Road, along the river, with great neighbors, Lyle and JoAnne Davis. Dora loved to watch the deer out in the yard and see the geese fly over into the river. She had a great view out her living room window of the sun rising over the mountains each morning.
Dora was a wonderful wife (of 71 years) and a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Her first grandchildren were twins, Kevin and Dodie van Uden, and there were also Shane Frederick, Dane Frazier, Heather Montgomery, Vanessa Orrison and Charity Becker, their children and grandchildren. She had 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. They were a1l very close to her.
She enjoyed fishing and camping and RVing. It seemed they had n different RV for each year.
Dementia took her away from us, but at times, she would come back and we all looked forward to those times. She was wonderfully cared for by the caregivers at Brendan House. We were so thankful for their loving care.
She was preceded in death by husband Walter; parents Robert Allen and Mary Jane Martin; sister Goldie Lee; and brother Bill.
Her sister Mary Lou Hill still resides at Brendan House. Her brother Carl lives in Troy. Connie lives in Montana, as well as her children. Charity and her family reside in the residence along the river (keeping it in the family). Gene, Cliff, Dane and Heather live in California and Vanessa in Texas.
Dora was buried in Oroville beside her husband, parents and many more friends and family.
We will miss her terribly, but know she is in a better place, with Jesus and the love of her life, Walter.
A Celebration of Life for her will be held at a later date in Kalispell.