Lila Grace (Terpening) Frisch

Lila Grace (Terpening) Frisch, 93, of Port Angeles, died peacefully on Oct 12 at home, with family and caregivers present.

Lila was born Nov. 18, 1928 in Almont, MI to parents Oliver Terpening & Mattie Washer. She lived in Imlay City, Mi attending Central Michigan College. She lived in Sanford, MI teaching Kindergarten and 1st Grade. Lila married Lewis A. Frisch 6/11/1949 in Sanford and they moved to Williamson where she taught 2nd Grade and worked as a telephone operator. The next move was to Fairgrove, MI in 1953, where Lila gave birth to sons Douglas and Ronald and worked as a substitute teacher. In 1957 the family moved to Bellevue, WA, where sons Gary and Brian were born. Lila worked for 13 years at Market Research, performing surveys in the Seattle area.

She was an avid bowler, with her best scores occasionally published in the local paper. Lila took up Volkssport (organized long distance walking), completing walks in the U.S., Canada and Europe, becoming the first woman to complete a Volksmarch in all 50 States. She was an Extra in 3 Movies and a TV Commercial. Lila moved to Port Angeles in 1998. She enjoyed Disney, knowing she was born on the same date as Mickey Mouse. On her and Mickey’s 75th Birthday she was honored as Grand Marshal of the parade through the Disney World theme park. Energetic, gregarious and fun-loving, Lila made friends everywhere. She volunteered at beach clean-up events around the peninsula, loved to go to garage sales all over the area, and volunteered at a charity shop in Sequim. She enjoyed life-long learning and took courses while in her 80s. She was a huge Detroit Tigers fan and watched all the games.

Lila is survived by sons Douglas (Elizabeth), Ronald, Gary (Janet) and Brian (Karen), Grandchildren Sarah Myhre (Paul), Michael (Anna), Karl, Rachel Montenegro (Aaron), Jaron Sikes (Katie), and Jara Reno (Aaron), Great-Grandchildren Luca Montenegro, Jude Reno, and Charlie Reno. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis A. Frisch.

No Services at her request. Donations to The Humane Society, Hospice Volunteers and Evergreen State Volkssport Association. 

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