Born Sophia Kopkas May 13, 1913, of Slovak immigrant parents, in a Hecla, (Southwest) Pennsylvania mining camp, Sophie Frause lived life to the fullest for 102 years. She died of old age in Seattle, Washington Sunday, July 19, 2015.

At her 90th birthday celebration, Sophie poetically predicted that she “would be no more at 104.” She didn’t quite realize that prognostication, but for those who knew her, no one ever questioned the fact that she had the resolve to make it happen. Unfortunately, God had other plans.

Sophie was proud of her Slovak heritage She made up for her lack of formal education by being smart and tenacious in everything she did. Small in stature, but big in heart, Sophie’s life was all about hard work. From the time she left home at an early age to work at General Electric in Cleveland, Ohio to her 20-year career at JC Penney Company in Seattle, she knew that hard work was the secret to success. She never backed off.

Sophie and Henry Frause were married in Louisville, Colorado at St. Louis Catholic Church on June 6, 1942. They moved to Seattle in 1943 and started a family. Together, they enjoyed a full life for more than 62 years. That included lots of food, too. Nobody ever went away hungry when they visited Sophie and Henry.

From her Slovak baked goods to fresh garden vegetables and fruits and jams, Sophie always put on a feast. And, you never left her house without taking some of that great food home.

A long-time Normandy Park resident, Sophie was deeply involved in many business and civic organizations, including ABWA (American Business Women’s Association), which named her Woman of the Year in 1977. She was also a devoted member and officer in many community organizations, including several garden clubs, the Manhattan Community Club and, until her death, the Des Moines Garden Club.

Sophie will undoubtedly be remembered as an undying advocate for what she believed in. Most notable was her outspoken role in the movement against the third runway at SeaTac Airport. Ask anybody who was on the other side of that battle.

A devout Roman Catholic, Sophie’s last few years were spent living at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle, where she was proud to faithfully attend mass and rosary services daily.

Sophie was loved by, all including her husband, Henry Frause, who preceded her in death in 2004; son Norm Frause and his wife Debra O’Neil Frause and grandsons Matt Frause and Marc Frause of Sammamish, WA; son Bob Frause and his wife Sue Frause of Langley, WA and grandson Max Frause and his wife Kelsey Frause of Seattle, WA; brother Frank Kopkas, Bellevue WA; and sister Betty Black and her husband Arleigh Black of Portland, OR.

Sophie’s funeral mass is scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2015, 11 a.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 15216 21st Ave SW, Burien, WA. Remembrances may be sent in Sophie’s name to the Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation, 4831 35th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98126.

Published in The Highline Times Section of The Westside Weekly July 31, 2015