Photo courtesy of Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory - Ballwin
Ballwin, Missouri
Nov 10, 1949 – Jan 17, 2022 (Age 72)
Michele Lee Frizzell, age 72, died on January 17, 2022 in St. Louis Missouri. She was a 1971 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and went on to receive a Master’s of Social Work from St. Louis University in 1999. She was a lifetime social worker and began her career working for social services in Omaha, NE, Salina, KS and Farmington, New Mexico before moving back to Omaha, Nebraska where she advocated for patients in the Bergan Mercy hospital system. She took a break from her career to stay home and raise her two sons, Matthew and Chad while the family lived in Omaha and Appleton, Wisconsin. After moving to St. Louis in 1995 she completed her master’s degree and accepted her “dream job” as a social worker with the Special School District in the Rockwood District of St. Louis County. This was a perfect fit because she was always young at heart. She worked for SSD from 2000 until 2015 when she retired.
Michele will probably be best remembered for her gift of mercy. She had a “drop everything” mentality whenever she encountered someone in need. She rarely considered her own needs and generously sacrificed her time and talents to alleviate the suffering of anyone and everyone, especially children. Many have said that when you were in her presence you felt like the most important person to her. She had the rare ability to be a fun-loving, silly Mimi (grandmother) and had the depth, wisdom, and substance to offer sound advice regarding how to live in a broken world. It’s no surprise that people felt much better after having spent just a few minutes in her company due to her engaging, sympathetic, and uplifting spirit. She was a woman of both deep devotion and playfulness and had a profound connection to all of her children and grandchildren who understood that her care could never be exhausted.
Michele is survived by the love of her life, her husband of nearly 50 years, Dick, her two sons; Chad (Julie) Frizzell & Matt (Laurin) Frizzell, her grandchildren; Mary, Emma, Ava, Denver, and Abram Frizzell; her brother Eric (Tina) Week, and her nieces and nephews: Erica, Jeffrey, Linnea, and Kaiza Week. She is preceded in death by her mother, father, and sister, Terry Thibeault.
Memorial service will be at 10:30 on April 23 at First Free Church, 1375 Carman Road, Manchester MO, 63021.
Memorials can be sent to the address below. In the words of one of her Special School District co- workers, “these were her people.”
Special Education Foundation
Critical Needs Program
11933 Westline Industrial Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146
314-394-7030
I’m so sorry to hear about Michelle’s passing. We were very close friends when we were teenagers and we stayed in touch for many years. Michelle
Was in my wedding and I was in hers. My sympathies to Dick, her boys and her grandchildren.
Janyce Kamprud
January 31, 2023 | Minneapolis, MN | Friend
Michele was a delightful friend and sorority sister at Gustavus. I am so sad to hear of her passing
Judy Okerman. Kastelle
April 30, 2022 | Classmate
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Barbara Franklin
April 22, 2022 | MO | Acquaintance
Michele was my cousin, and I vividly remember my last, long conversation with her. It took place over ten years ago, and lasted about an hour and a half as we caught up on all things family. As usual, she was full of energy and though we hadn't' stayed very connected over the years, we were able to pick up as if we talked regularly. We both promised each other to do that more often, but life got in the way for us both and it just didn't happen.
I'm glad, though, that I have...
David Glessner
April 22, 2022 | WESTFIELD, IN
Michele fit into the Holmes family because she always smiled.
James Bruland
April 19, 2022 | Fernandina Bch, FL
Michele, in addition to being kind and loving, was a character. I met her at Gustavus Adolphus College in MN, and we liked to share 'schmoozies,' which if you don't know what that is ... it's the moist part of a cake that sticks to the bottom of the pan. I can still picture us giggling about that and many other things. As sad as Michele's passing is, I feel honored to have met and known her all those many years ago.
Lynne Holmquist
April 18, 2022 | San Antonio, TX | Friend
Michele was always so sweet and kind, gentle and loving. Our lives are better for having known her.
Mike and Lisa Lazalier
April 18, 2022 | Friend
We were blessed, our lives enriched, by having Michele as our friend. Memories of time spent with her always bring a smile to my face. Her Spiritual gifts of wisdom,encouragement, compassion and mercy helped our family and others through many difficult times. Just as valuable as those gifts was the “laugh out loud” humor you never saw coming. She never tried to be the life of the party she just was! We all knew her favorite “food” was chocolate and fountain ( not can) coke her drink of...
Marilyn and Jerry Fruin
April 16, 2022 | Gilbert, AZ | Friend
John and I were very sorry to hear of Michele’s passing. We were fortunate to know Michele at Gustavus Adolphus College and she and I were roommates Junior and Senior years. Michele was also in our wedding. Everybody loved Michele and her smile could light up a room. Michele was a wonderful person and I do wish we had kept in closer contact. Fortunately for us, their family visited us in Colorado many years ago and that was very special. Such a great family. Our deepest condolences.
Chris and John Dildine
April 13, 2022 | Loveland, CO | Friend
