SYBIL NORMA FREDERICK

Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home

Sybil Norma Frederick, beloved child of God, was born on the family farm in Marshall County, South Dakota, on March 2, 1919, the third of 4 children born to Selma and Albert Severson. She passed away on her 92nd birthday, March 2, 2011. Sybil spent her childhood in South Dakota, graduating from Kidder High School, Kidder, SD, then moving to Portland at the age of 18 with her mother, Selma, and her sister, Gertrude. Her father and two siblings had already passed away before they moved.

She is survived by her children, Walton (and Joanne) Frederick of Ridgecrest, CA; and Charlene Franz of Kennewick, WA; her grandchildren, Jay Frederick of Gig Harbor, WA; Michael (and Miho) Frederick plus great-grandson Matthew of Lancaster, CA; Kathryn Franz of Kennewick, WA; Elizabeth Franz of Pullman, WA; and Natalie Franz of Bellingham, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Gertrude and Hazel and infant brother, Albert, Jr., her husband Walton Frederick, Sr., and her son-in-law James Franz. She will be truly missed by her family and by her many friends in Kennewick and Vancouver, WA.

It was at a dance hall in Portland, Oregon, that she met her dashing husband-to-be, Walt. They would enjoy dancing for their entire marriage of 43 years. She was the apple of Walt's eye. They started their married life in Vancouver living with Walt's parents in the back of their neighborhood grocery store. Then came WWII. After her husband's tour of duty teaching electronics in the Navy, they settled in Portland, OR, then moved to Vancouver, WA, in 1960. Sybil spent the bulk of her adult life in Vancouver and it was home. In 1996, she moved to Kennewick to be close to her daughter and spent the last 4 years at Canyon Lakes Restorative and Rehabilitation Center. We thank the staff for these years of grace, where she was given excellent care and friendship. Tuesday was pinochle day. Don't schedule any appointments for her on Tuesday! She was a retired retail sales person, having worked for Lipman Wolfe, Hadley's, and Meier & Frank for some 35 years.

Sybil was a beautiful, grace-filled woman. She loved her family above all, but also cared for her precious roses, loved to read and made Lefse, cookies, pies, and family dinners. What a wonderful cook she was! She belonged to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Vancouver for over 35 years and graced her church family with her wonderful soprano voice. Walt was so proud of her singing. After her move to Kennewick, she joined Lord of Life Lutheran Church and enjoyed many years of worship with her daughter and family. Her faith and trust in God was unquestionable.

Sybil was a proud Norwegian and would say grace in Norwegian on holidays. She belonged to Sons of Norway and made plenty of Lefse for their Lutefisk banquets over the years. If someone didn't like Lutefisk, she would tell them they just hadn't tasted it when it was cooked right.

She sang with the Sweet Adeline's in Vancouver and belonged to the Red Hat Society and the Kennewick Newcomers. She enjoyed her travels to places like Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and Germany, and her many trips to California to visit family. She continued dancing with friends at the local senior centers until the effects of Parkinson's disease made it impossible.

To her family she was the glue that binds, a happy, joyful person with the most positive outlook on life despite the difficulties she encountered. Her eyes twinkled with life and love and laughter. She remained full of wit and spunk, loving smiles and big tight hugs until the end. She had an innate sense of wisdom and remained open-minded throughout her life. She was truly a class act.

There will be a graveside service at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Vancouver, WA, on Tuesday, March 8, at 1 p.m., followed by fellowship in the Hospitality Room. A service to celebrate Sybil's life will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Kennewick, WA, on Saturday March 12, 11 a.m.

Donations may be made to Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 640 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick, WA, 99336 or a charity of your choice, and plant a rose bush in her memory.

The family invites you to sign their online guestbook at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.