Frieda Louise Michel Wallace

Frieda Louise Michel Wallace passed away peacefully at her home in Everett on August 9, 2012. She was a gentle spirit, dedicated to her extended family. She will be missed and remembered as a loving sister, aunt, and friend.

Frieda was born at home on the family farm in Lynden, Washington on January 8, 1924 to parents Franz and Margaret Michel. Frieda joined two brothers, Melvin and Philip, and several years later greeted a little sister, Dorothy. Frieda learned the values and rewards of hard work helping out on the dairy farm. She grew up attending Ten Mile Chapel in Lynden and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bellingham.

After graduation from Lynden High School in 1942, Frieda worked for a year at Bellingham Iron Works to save money for college. She attended WSC from the fall of 1943 through spring semester of 1946, majoring in secretarial training. It was in Pullman that she met her future husband, Gale Wallace. Frieda often spoke fondly of her years at WSC, especially of the self confidence she gained and of friends she made as head waitress at the Commons. For many years she attended reunions of the Waller Hall Girls; Waller Hall, a men’s dormitory, was empty of its usual residents during WWII.

Frieda and Gale were married in September of 1946 and moved to the Wallace Farm on the Lowell-Snohomish River Road. Frieda was proud of her farm heritage, and was active in the Snohomish County Dairy Wives. Frieda worked as a medical receptionist in the office of Dr. Rockwell in Everett.

Depending on the season, many will remember visiting at her home on the River Road and finding Frieda at work in the yard, picking berries for jam, putting up vegetables from Gale’s fields, or baking delicious pies. When Gale no longer had the dairy herd, they finally were able to spend time traveling. They enjoyed farm tours in the United States, Eastern Europe, and Australia, but found Maui to be their favorite destination. In later years, Frieda made trips to Alaska and Hawaii with her sister.

Frieda approached life with a positive attitude and acceptance, even when her house on the Snohomish River flooded and in the face of several illnesses. Her favorite hymn, “Just as I Am” truly reflects her humility and faith.

Frieda was preceded in death by her husband Gale in 1995, her parents, and her brothers. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Verduin of Lynden, WA and by many nieces and nephews and their families.

Frieda and Gale both highly valued education. In addition to support for her church, she endowed scholarships at Lynden and Snohomish High Schools.

Interment will be on August 24th at the G.A.R. Cemetery in Snohomish at 11 am. A Memorial Service will follow at 1:00 pm at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2324 Lombard, Everett, where Frieda was a member.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Frieda’s memory to Trinity Lutheran Church or to Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County, 2731 Wetmore Suite 500, Everett, WA 98201.