Viola Kathryn Frizzell

Vi attended Wellpinit Schools and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. After High School she traveled to Nespelem WA to train as a nursing assistant. She worked in hospitals and nursing homes in California and Washington supporting herself and her only child, daughter Geri Pelissier.

As Geri approached High School they moved to Colville, WA where Vi would live and work until retirement. While in Colville, Vi worked at Valley View Hospital and Nursing Center. Buena Vista Nursing Center in the kitchen, Colville Bakery and Colville Middle School kitchen. She was a private care Nanny and nurse assistant for many in her community.

She will be remembered for her cooking at bake sales, weddings, wakes, funerals and the community along with her cooking for family and friends. Images of her peeling potatoes, making big fat egg noodles, refrigerator soup, fruit cottontail jello and her super-secret banana bread recipe will not be forgotten.

Vi supported her community in many other ways by following sports teams. Her favorite, Colville Indians, Wellpinit Redskins and Gonzaga basketball, Go Zags! She chaperoned school events, the Colville High School Jr. Miss Royalty, the Wellpinit Royalty and she was a champion for the Tiny Tots Pow Wow encouraging the youth to embrace Spokane Indian Culture.

Always helpful, Vi served on the Health Board, Senior Activities Committee, Spokane Tribal College Advisory Board, Strong Hearts Committee, and her favorite, the Spokane Culture and Language Program.

She was proud and courageous. Afraid of water, she bravely rode the boat that traveled the Spokane River searching for the remains of tribal ancestors when the river’s rise and fall eroded the riverbanks, exposing ancient graves. She advocated for the return of the salmon and participated in the Coulee Dam historical preservation project coordination with the Tribes.

Nanny lived 97 busy, outrageously fun-filled years. In that time, she could not have lived without her telephone and “sharing the news”. Nanny made an art of embarrassing people. She loved to laugh and dance. She loved her cat.

Viola K. Frizzell is survived by a brother Herman “Chuckie” Cox, grandchildren Kathi Miller, David and Dean Pelissier. Five great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services will be held at the War Dance Hall at the Pow Wow grounds at Wellpinit beginning with a wake on Wednesday, March 16 at 7pm. Funeral service will be held Thursday, March 17 beginning at 10 am followed by burial at the Presbyterian Cemetery, Wellpinit, WA.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BallandDodd.com for the Frizzell family.