Eugene Stace Fraise

1932 - 2020

Eugene Stace Fraise, 88, of Fort Madison, passed away at 3:34 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington, due to COVID-19 complications.

He was born May 7, 1932, in rural West Point, the son of Theodore and Viola (Grelk) Fraise.

On Dec. 31, 1949, he married Faye Pumphrey at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point.

Gene's life was one of dedication to his family and friends, farming, and serving the people of Iowa. He was born and raised in the West Point area where he established his roots raising his family and farming. His passion in this community lead to him being Lee County Supervisor for seven years and serving and retiring from the Iowa Senate after 27 years. He was proud to be the longest serving senator in District 42 of Southeast Iowa. Serving the people of Iowa was his calling and a source of great pride. He was particularly proud of being instrumental in the building of the 61 Bypass, the Bridgeport Bridge project, and serving as the only non-lawyer judiciary committee head in the history of the state of Iowa. Above all, he saw his family as being his greatest achievement. To them, he walked on water.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, who was the center of his world, Faye of Fort Madison; three sons, Mike (Abby) Fraise of Wever, Ron (Kim) Fraise of Fort Madison, and Larry (Dawn) Fraise of Wever; one son-in-law, Paul (Betty) Mohrfeld of Fort Madison; 14 grandkids, Tim (Tammy) Mohrfeld, Jason (Mindy) Mohrfeld, Amy (Mark) Kellerman, Brian (Sara) Mohrfeld, Jerry (Stephanie) Mohrfeld; Julie (Darin) Astor, Todd (Erin) Fraise, Nick (Maria Scott) Fraise, Heather (Shawn Kafar) Fraise, Stacey (Jason Dixon) Fraise, Evan (Ashley) Fraise, Adam Fraise, Nathan (Kara) Fraise, and Brent (Trent Jones) Fraise; 32 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Shirley Martin of West Point; one brother, Marvin (Marcia) Fraise of West Burlington; and one sister-in-law, Faye Fraise of West Point. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; daughter Rita Mohrfeld; granddaughter-in-law Laurie Mohrfeld; brothers, Albert Fraise, Keith Fraise and Andrew Fraise; sister-in-law Topsy Fraise; and brother-in-law Wayne Martin.

Friends may call from noon to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point. Attendees will be limited to 15 people at a time.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, with the Rev. Dennis Hoffman officiating.

Those attending are required to wear a mask and social distance. Mass will be lived streamed on the church Facebook page and posted on his Tribute Wall on our website: www.schmitzfuneral home.com.

Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in rural Fort Madison.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his memory.

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.