Delora Faye Fraise, 91, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away peacefully at 6:40 a.m. Monday, November 27, 2023 at the West Point Care Center in West Point, Iowa.
She was born on August 4, 1932, in Eubank, Kentucky the daughter of Everette and Bertha (Osborne) Pumphrey and moved with her family to the Denmark area when she was three years old. She married her true love, Gene, on December 31, 1949, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa.
She is survived by three sons: Mike (Abby) Fraise of Wever, Iowa, Ron (Kim) Fraise of Fort Madison, Iowa, Larry (Dawn) Fraise of Wever, Iowa; one son-in-law: Paul (Betty) Mohrfeld of Fort Madison, Iowa; fourteen 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 Fraise, Stacey (Jason) Dixon, Evan (Ashley) Fraise, Adam Fraise, Nathan Fraise, Brent (Trent) Fraise; thirty-two great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Shirley Martin of West Point, Iowa, Faye Fraise of West Point, Iowa; one brother-in-law: Marvin (Marcia) Fraise of West Burlington, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Faye was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter: Rita Mohrfeld; granddaughter-in-law: Laurie Mohrfeld; brother: Jess (Karlene) Pumphrey, two sisters: Vola (Junior) Weisinger and Ethel (Marvin) Junkins, sister-in-law: Topsy; brothers-in-law: Albert “Sonny” Fraise, Andrew Fraise, Keith Fraise, and Wayne Martin.
Faye grew up with her three siblings and went to school in the Denmark area. In high school, she caught Gene’s eye at the roller rink and as they say, “that’s all she wrote.” After a whirlwind courtship, they married and eventually established roots in the West Point area to farm and raise a family. They had four children of which she was immensely proud. She was relentlessly by Gene’s side. She drove tractors when in the fields and propped up the babies in a car seat in the barn when Gene was milking cows just to spend time with him. She was unyielding in her support of Gene’s political career and clerked for him in the Iowa Senate for several years.
Faye hosted many holiday gatherings for her family. She made a killer cherry delight and the BEST ham balls. One of her favorite past-times was doting on her grandkids. But she also loved playing cards and gambling at the casino (penny slots!) with Lucy and all her Red Hat friends. She did have an ornery side and could be a little feisty, especially at coffee (If that coffee pot could talk!). She had a particularly special relationship with her niece, Vicki, with whom she shared many laughs and a few tears.
She is mostly remembered for her capacity to love her husband and family. She was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother and friend. Her beautiful smile will be greatly missed.
A visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A parish rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 1, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be Fairview Cemetery, rural Fort Madison, Iowa.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
