Emil Edwin Frafjord, 89, longtime Montesano resident, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 17, 2018, in Elma, Wash., surrounded by his loving family.

Emil was born Feb. 17, 1929, in Halliday, N.D., to Dagfinn and Gunda (Mathisen) Frafjord. Emil’s family left North Dakota in 1936 during the Great Depression and settled in Onalaska, Wash., where he graduated from high school in 1947. After school, Emil worked for Aberdeen Plywood for 10 years.

Emil joined the Army National Guard in 1948, where he eventually worked full time as the shop chief. Emil was promoted to the rank of command sergeant major, the highest obtainable rank of enlisted men. He held this position for 14 years, until retirement in 1986. He was head of all enlisted men in the battalion, which included several units all over Washington State. Emil was highly regarded, receiving several awards and recognition for his service.

Emil met the love of his life, M. Janice Johnson, at a dance in Aberdeen in 1949. Emil and Janice married Oct. 31, 1953, at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. They lived in Hoquiam for eight years before settling in Montesano in 1962. Emil was an extremely hard worker and took great pride in his work, traits that he instilled in his sons. He built two homes for his family, one in 1962 and the other 1979. In 2017, they moved to a newly built home, where Janice still resides.

Emil enjoyed hunting, fishing, clam digging, and traveling with his family. He was an avid league bowler in Montesano for many years. After retirement, Emil and Janice took several RV trips to Alaska and spent many winters in Arizona. Emil was a devoted family man and loved spending time with them. Emil was very proud of his Norwegian heritage. He took two trips to Frafjord, Norway, where the family name originated. He also hosted Norwegian family several times over the years.

Emil is survived by his wife Janice; his two sons, Keith (Diane), Ken (Teresa) of Montesano; sister, Minnie Espedal of Poulsbo; four grandchildren, Karey, Lindsay, Brad and Kaylee; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings Harold, Ole, Ruth Finlayson, and Roy.

A graveside service with military honors will occur on Thursday, May 3, at 11 a.m., at Wynoochee Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Montesano Moose Lodge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Montesano Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 827, Montesano, WA 98563.