Mary Ellen Frolen

June 14, 1935 - January 6, 2021

Mary Ellen Frolen WOW WOW WOW Mary left us on Wednesday, January 6, in the loving company of her daughter Kathleen Holloway. She was born on June `14, 1935, in Spokane to Henry and Ada Regan. Mary was in the class of 1953 at Rogers High School in Spokane where she met and married Willard “Bill” Sparks that same year. Mary and Bill were married for 18 years and had four children: Peggy Carlton of Marysville, WA, (Ephrata HS 1971) husband Gary; Kathleen Holloway of Ephrata, WA, (EHS 1972) husband Ken; Daniel Sparks (Garden Grove, CA HS, 1974) deceased 2006; and David Sparks of Silverdale, WA, (EHS 1976). Her step-children are Randy Frolen of Briar, WA, (EHS 1974) and Lisa Frolen of Everett, WA (EHS 1977). Mary and Bill were co-owners of the Quincy Tire Shop in the 1950’s, and relocated to Orange County, CA, where Bill was an engineer and Mary owned a dress shop. They returned to Washington to farm, but divorced shortly thereafter. Mary moved to Ephrata where she worked at Security Bank for many years as her children finished their educations. Mary married Dr. Ed Frolen in 1977 and they were happily married until Ed’s death earlier this year. They were members of the Lakeview Country Club for over 40 years, traveled the world together, and took great joy in family gatherings. They lived at Blue Lake for many of those years and loved the lake and the company of the Blue Lake community. Mary was also an avid bridge player with her friends in Ephrata. Why WOW WOW WOW at the top? When given a bracelet that said MOM MOM MOM on it, Mary accepted it and shortly thereafter asked us why we gave her a bracelet that said WOW WOW WOW on it. After we stopped laughing, WOW WOW WOW became her nickname for many years. Mary always loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. She always said she would rather be remembered for the fun times rather than the hard times. She will always be missed and dear to our hearts. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata.