Edward Donald Frolen

EDWARD DONALD FROLEN Edward Donald Frolen, 90, of Ephrata, Washington, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 9, 2020 at Crystal Springs Adult Family Home in Moses Lake, Washington. He was born to Roy and Margaret Frolen in Seattle, Washington on June 16, 1929. Their daughter Lois was born in 1933. In 1935 the family moved to Anchorage, Alaska where the population was about 2,000. When the war started in 1941, Ed’s dad thought the Japanese might invade Alaska, so they moved back to Seattle and then to Eugene, Oregon. His father passed away in 1943 and his mother raised the children on her own. Ed graduated from Eugene High School in 1947, and attended Oregon State College before joining the US Navy in 1948. He was on a ship headed to Barrow, Alaska when the Korean War broke out. He served three years in Hawaii as a photographer to the Commander of the Pacific Fleet. Ed met Noreen Knudsen in Hawaii and they were married in 1954. Their son Randy was born in 1956 and daughter Lisa in 1959. He chose a career in dentistry and went to the University of Oregon, graduating in 1960. In 1961 he bought a dental practice in Ephrata and retired from there in 1996. He was a member of Lakeview Golf & Country Club for more than 50 years, and enjoyed Wednesdays golfing with his buddies. After his first marriage ended, he met Mary Ellen Sparks and they were married for 43 years. They had many great experiences together – playing golf, traveling, boating, and going to Arizona in the winter. Edward was preceded in death by his father Roy Jacob Frolen; mother Margart Currie Frolen; his sister Lois Frolen Ross; his first wife Noreen; and stepson Daniel Sparks. He is survived by his wife Mary of Ephrata; son Randy (Mary) Frolen of Brier, Wash.; daughter Lisa Frolen of Bellevue, Wash.; stepdaughters Peggy (Gary) Carlton of Tulalip, Wash.; Kathleen (Ken) Holloway of Ephrata; and stepson David Sparks of Silverdale, Wash. Edward is also survived by one grandson, Jeffrey of Brier, Wash.; nine step-grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. We all lost a wonderful man who will always be missed, but we know he has no more pain or sorrow. A service will be held later with the date to be announced. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata, Washington.

Tributes

Edward Donald Frolen

June 16, 1929 - May 9, 2020