Obituary of Terry Frazee ’81

Terry Wayne Frazee, 81, of Spicer, passed away March 27, 2021 in Dundee, FL. He was born in April 1939 to Russell and Jeanette (Knudson) Frazee. After attending and graduating from Bird Island High School in 1957, Terry obtained degrees from Gustavus Adolphus College, South Dakota State University, and Mankato State University. Terry married Kathryn Lawrence in August 1963 and was blessed with two daughters, Dawn and Shane, five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He spent over 35 years in various school districts throughout Minnesota as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, including 17 years as a principal and superintendent within the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa school district. After retiring from education in 1997, Terry was the executive secretary of the Green Lake Property Owners Association for 26 years working to protect the water quality of Green Lake. Always the educator, he worked tirelessly to inform others about new and ongoing threats to the lake and the rest of Minnesota’s treasured natural habitats. He also volunteered his time to organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and Habitat for Humanity. Terry was proud of his many accomplishments, including earning the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts. He thoroughly enjoyed mentoring his students, always reminding them of the importance of education; spending time at his home on Green Lake; traveling, especially with his International tour guides, Jim Frazee and Kirk Nicholson; sharing his stories and wisdom with anyone willing to listen; helping others in times of need; and spending time with his five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Kathryn, daughters Dawn (Dave) Redepenning and Shane (Gerald) Illies; grandchildren Amanda Toutges (Laura Nelson), Martin (Kayla) Engen, Alicia (Kyle) Curtis, Allison Redepenning (Derek Waldron), and Brendan (Victoria) Illies; and great-grandchildren Mason, Wyatt, Kaden, Ana, Kaleb, Levi, Rogan, Taylor, and Jaron.