Edward Fronsee

Edward Ed George Fronsee, 73, of Great Falls, a retired Senior Master Sergeant in the Montana Air National Guard, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2014 at home of natural causes.A visitation will be held on Friday, April 18, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Schnider Funeral Home. The funeral service is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2014 at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel followed by burial with full military honors in Highland Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Ed was born August 15, 1940 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After graduating in 1958, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was initially stationed in Anchorage, Alaska as a personnel specialist. In 1963 he was transferred to Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls where he met and married the love of his life Darlene Rasmussen, who was at the time a nursing student from Harlowtown. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Ed was hired as a full-time technician with the Montana Air National Guard. In December 1994, he retired from the Air National Guard with 34 years of honorable service.Ed was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and was a lifelong Braves fan continuing to follow the team even when they moved to Atlanta.Ed and Darlene enjoyed traveling several times a year to Nevada, Arizona and Northern California, including many forays to Jackpot, Nevada. After retirement, Ed looked forward to spending time with the ROMEO Club at the weekly Tuesday morning breakfast at the Prospector Restaurant.Ed and Darlene raised five children and enjoyed the company of their grandchildren, watching them grow and making special memories on vacations to places like San Francisco, Canada, and Denver. When he wasnt around his friends and family, Ed enjoyed relaxing in the comfort of his recliner with his faithful cat Tiger Kitty, watching old western television shows and movies as well as his favorite sports including WrestleMania.Ed is survived by his wife of 50 years, Darlene; sons Mike (Anita) Fronsee of Great Falls; Bob (Lauren) Fronsee of Black Eagle; Richard (Karen) Fronsee of Plano, TX; daughters Laurie (Bryan) Fox of Helena; Karen (Ken) Dey of Boise, ID; eleven grandchildren; one great grandchild; brothers Steward, Tom, Ron, and Jim; sisters Sharon and Shirley; and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents Felix and Rose Fronsee and his loyal cocker spaniel walking partner, Scruffy.Memorials in Edward's name may be made to the Great Falls Animal Shelter, 1010 25th Ave NE, Great Falls, MT 59404.