Eleanor Marie Frye

We've always known in our hearts that our strong stoic matriarch would leave us unexpectedly one day in her sleep, but we were wrong. Maybe God meant for us to learn how to care for Ellie the way she so diligently cared for her children, husband, and ailing parents. Maybe God wanted her to feel the love that we hold for her more intensely than she'd allow us when she was well. We will never know, but we are thankful that the suffering Ellie endured over the last six months is over.
Ellie passed peacefully in the night on August 14th, 2022 with family by her side. We are thankful that we could be there to help soothe and comfort her throughout her last months and minutes, as she was unfailingly there for us over the course of our lives.
Eleanor Marie Kubash was born in Chicago on February 7, 1929, -the youngest child and only daughter of Czechoslovakian immigrants Stephan and Anna Kubash. The family moved from Chicago to their farm in Bridgman. Beautiful and social as a young woman, Ellie graduated as valedictorian from Bridgman High School in 1946 with the determination to be a career woman. She attended business college in St. Joseph, and enjoyed dancing with the soldiers at Shadowland in St. Joseph. That is where she initially rebuffed the attention of Ray Frye, but eventually gave in and they fell in love. On February 3, 1951, Ray and Ellie were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church, where they remained members until death. Ellie was a devoted wife and mother, supporting her husband Ray as he built his career while simultaneously raising their four energetic children. When the kids were old enough, Ellie began working outside of the home, most notably at Southwestern Supply, the business that she and Ray partnered in with their son Randy. She worked there until 2020, when she retired at 91 years young. Ellie was popular with their customers and enjoyed chit chatting with the regulars! We know they miss her warm welcome! Ellie went to the same hair stylist for at least the last 45 years. She never missed a Tuesday appointment with her Judi, as she never left the house without hair and makeup done.
A soft spoken, reserved woman she held her friends and family close, they meant everything to her. Ellie's family and friends will cherish these memories forever, and we hope that you do too.
Ellie was preceded in death by her parents, her son Raymond Jr., husband Raymond Sr., and brothers Edward Kubash and Steve Kubash. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Barb Bellavia (Tom), Debbie Nykamp (Rolf), and Randy Frye (Debbie), her seven grandchildren, Katy Nykamp, Eric Nykamp, Jon Nykamp (Andrea), Meagan Frye, Jessica Stephen (Ben), Kevin Nykamp (Megan), and Melanie Frye as well as her nine greatgrandchildren, and special grand-pets Nevaeh and Eleanora, whom she loved. We would like to especially thank her granddaughter Meagan Frye and her staff at A Place Called Home for taking such good care of Ellie over the past few months. She was exactly where she wanted to be in her last months, and was shown love and compassion by all. She will be sorely missed by those who loved her.