Raymond Nels Frette, age 93, passed away Friday, February 24, 2017. He was born on August 30, 1923, to Nels and Christina (Freiboth) Frette of Terry, MT. Ray and his seven siblings were raised on the family homestead north of Terry. Following the passing of his father in 1934, the family relocated to Terry, residing next door to the Van Dusen family. There, at age 11, Ray met the love of his life, Noreen. Many evening meetings at the fence happened much to the dismay of Mrs. Walter Van Dusen. Ray graduated from Terry High School, Class of 1941.
Ray and Noreen were wed on September 6, 1942, and enjoyed 74 years together. Ray enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was stationed at numerous air bases stateside before shipping off to the Philippines in 1944. He remained active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars for his entire life. In 2012, Ray and his granddaughter, Megan, took the Veteran’s Honor Flight to Washington, DC, to visit the World War II Memorial.
After the war, Ray and Noreen located to Sidney, MT, where Ray worked at Louie Lee’s Appliance Store in sales and repair. In 1952, the family moved to Miles City, where they raised their three children Janice, Kent, and Rhonda. Ray worked for Hines Motor Supply for 36 years as road salesman and store manager. Many nights and weekends were spent at the store getting parts for stranded vacationers. He formed a store bowling team that participated in league play at the Kegler’s Lanes. He was an active Mason and Shriner in the Miles City Lodge. Ray and Noreen enjoyed many trips in the US and abroad as a result of his sales achievements at Hines Motor.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife Noreen, his parents, seven siblings Harold, Violet, Elmer, Howard, Margaret, Ramona, and Helen and a son-in-law Mike Brady. He is survived by his children Janice (Randy) Bergren of Havre, MT, Kent (Robin) Frette of Owatonna, MN, and Rhonda (Mike) Schmitz of Miles City, grandchildren Craig and Daniel Brady of Sacramento, CA, Jared Schmitz of Nashville, TN, and Megan Schmitz of Billings, MT, and great grandson Blake Brady.
Funeral Services will be Friday, March 10, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home, followed by internment at the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors. A reception will follow at the VFW. In lieu of gifts, donations may be made to the local VFW chapter.
Merry and Armando says
Sending our Thoughts and prayers, as well as our sincere condolences to your entire family. Ray was such a wonderful person.
Sandy and Pat Anderson says
We are so sorry for your loss. Out thoughts and prayers go out to all your family.
Cheryl and Keith Fuhrman says
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cheryl and Keith Fuhrman says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Martha Crandall says
my sympathy
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
My sincere sympathy to you all, Dolores Meidinger Willson
Ricky & Tanneil Kuchynka says
Mike, Rhonda and family,
Sending lots of love, hugs and prayers your way! So sorry for your loss.
Sandi and Jim Updyke says
So sorry for the loss of you father and grandfather. No matter how old we are, it’s still hard to let go. God bless you ❤
Dale & Cindy Berg says
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!
Linda Walker says
Nicest man. Thinking of you with love.
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Prayers to your family at this time of grief.
Everal Nelson says
We will all miss this great man. My deepest sympathy to all of the family. He will be missed – the VFW will not be the same without him and his sense of humor.
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles & Jim Liles says
Our sincere sympathy to your family, MIke and Rhonda. Ray always teased Jim about selling that two-tone El Camino to him, but he was never serious! He was such a sweetheart. You are in our prayers. God bless.
Jim & Mary Ann
Heather Moon says
How well I remember Ray not only from the Irder if Eastern Star activities, VFW events but also from the time I lived in Terry when he & Noreen would visit. They were so much fun to talk to … the old stories will never be heard that way again. Ray was so friendly .. he always greeted you like you were one of his family.. and his humor was infectious. He will truly be missed
Jenifer Cummins says
Rhonda and family,
I am glad to have had the pleasure of meeting your Dad and taking care of him through Home Health. He had a tough spirit and was a joy to get to know!! My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Susan Moreno says
So sorry for your loss. Your folks are reunited again. Thoughts and prayers!
Pam Rogge says
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Terry Young says
Our thoughts and prayer are with all of Ray’s family.
We wish we could have attended Ray’s funeral however, the weather and road conditions prevented us from coming.
Thoughts and prayers.
Terry, Rosemary & Shaylin Young