Obituaries

May 27, 1923 - July 16, 2023

We are immensely saddened to announce that Dorothy Katherine Frey passed away peacefully at Prairie Lake Seniors Community on Sunday July 16, 2023 at the age of 100. She is now at rest in the arms of her Lord and Saviour.

Dorothy was born Dorothy Katherine Miller in Primate, Saskatchewan on May 27th 1923. She spent her early years in Saskatchewan where she met her husband-to-be Jacob (Jack) Frey. They were married on October 23rd 1945. They spent their first years in Saskatchewan and after their third child was born, they moved to Alberta. They settled in Whitelaw, Alberta where they raised their 13 children. Dorothy was a stay-at-home mother as 13 children obviously kept her very busy. She spent most of her days cooking, baking, cleaning, washing clothes and doing all the things that 13 rambunctious children would require. She supported her children in whatever endeavors they pursued, which consumed any possible free time she had. Through it all she stuck to her values and lived a dedicated Christian life. She, along with her husband Jack, instilled strong Christian values in all her children. Once the children got older, together Dorothy and Jack spent their time golfing, travelling and entertaining family and friends. She loved a good card game and they both loved visiting. The children are spread across Canada and they often travelled to visit them. When she was at home, seldom was she not cooking or baking for family or friends. The last 15 years or so she slowed down as she lost her sight due to macular degenerative disease. Even though she was legally blind, she still had a great outlook on life. She had a wicked sense of humor, sometimes without even knowing it. She will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends.

Dorothy is survived by her 13 children: Shirley (Peter) Bakker, Agnes (Ray) Valiquette, Isabelle Thorson (Les Campbell), Marlene (Jim) Begg, Yvonne (Bruce) Schuster, Russ (Lilly), Leo (Connie), Theresa Frey, Marcel (Lois), Leann (Daniel) Caron, Jeanette (Dale) Wardill,

Jackie (Wayne) Villeneuve, Lionel. She also had 26 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister Anna (Anne) Miller and brothers Adam and Frank Miller.

Dorothy was pre-deceased by her husband Jack, her parents Gabriel and Annie Miller, sisters Madeline, Betty, Katherine and Josephine and brothers Jack and John, grandsons Jason Thorson and Derek Frey, great grandsons Jonah and Joshua Hamelin and sons-in-law Leonard Thorson and Rick Hammerschmidt.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 29th at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 10404 - 102 St. Grande Prairie, AB. Lunch will follow the service. Dorothy will be cremated and along with her husband Jack, at their request, will be laid to rest at the Whitelaw Cemetery on July 30th.

The family would like to thank the staff at Prairie Lake Senior Community and The Gardens for the care she received in her last years.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church at 10404 102 St., Grande Prairie, AB. T8V 2W3

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780 830 7742 bearcreekfuneral.com