Katherine Burleigh Frazier

Katherine was born in Athens, Georgia May 10, 1928 to Thomas D. Burleigh and Dorothy Barrett.  She was the middle child between her older brother Tommy and her younger brother Billy.    As a child she moved frequently because of her father’s job as an ornithologist, studying birds in several states and writing articles and books.  After one year of college at a girl’s school in Georgia, Lucy Cobb Institute, she moved to Idaho with her parents when her father accepted a position at the University of Idaho.  She was a Pi Beta Phi at the U of I and received her degree in Journalism.

Katherine graduated June 5th, 1950 and was married June 6th, 1950 to George Frazier.   She worked one year in Lewiston for the local paper then moved with her husband to Headquarters, ID, a logging camp.  While living in Headquarters, Katherine and George had 3 children: John, David and Margaret. The family left Headquarters, ID to return to Moscow while George finished his Master’s degree.

After George’s schooling the family moved to Walnut Creek and Lafayette, CA where George worked for the forest service and Katherine was a full- time mother. While living in Lafayette, CA Katherine started to attend Bible Study Fellowship.   She began to study the Bible and found what it meant to believe in Jesus Christ. She was baptized in the family pool declaring her new life in Christ. 1964 brought a move to Idaho.   Katherine faithfully attended church and was always involved with Bible Study Fellowship, Republican Women’s Club, Christian Women’s Club, Child Evangelism Fellowship, and many other groups where she volunteered her time and energy.  After her husband passed on to heaven, she volunteered at Evangelism Resources based out of Kentucky.  Her next adventure was being the lady of odd jobs for Rep. Helen Chenoweth in Washington, D.C..  She was always up for an adventure.  Katherine loved books.  She had an extensive library to which she always wanted to add more books or give away to anyone interested. She travelled all over the world: Africa, Europe, England, Japan, Israel…

She is survived by her brother Bill, son John and daughter-in-law Robin Frazier, daughter-in-law Mayako Nagase Frazier, and daughter Margaret and son-in-law Mike Canfield, 14 grandchildren living everywhere from Massachusetts to Alabama to Oregon, although most are here in Idaho, several nieces and nephews and somewhere around 36+ greatgrandchildren of whom she was always proud.  She is predeceased by her husband George, her brother Tom and her son David.

George once described Katherine this way: “She goes, goes, goes until she crashes!”   This remained true her whole life.  The original Energizer Bunny!

Katherine recently said that she is “looking forward to Heaven, where I will have more energy and an unbroken brain.”  That some day has come!

The family would like to thank the staff at The Cottages at Columbia Village and Treasure Valley Hospice for their expert and loving care of Katherine the past few months.  There are many people who helped the family in caring for Katherine to whom we are very grateful.

In lieu of flowers the family would encourage gifts to Evangelism Resources.  This unique ministry was dear to both George and Katherine’s hearts.  ER 425 Epworth Ave. Wilmore, KY  40390

There will be a celebration of Katherine’s life on August 21st at Alden Waggoner at 1:00 PM.  The family would be honored by your presence.