Terry Michael Frease, age 75, of Rapid City died on Sunday, October 9, at Hospice House in Rapid City.  Terry's wife, Connie, and their daughter Kara were with him when he passed, as well as his one-year-old grandson, Kolsen.

After graduating high school, Terry worked for Barber Moving and Storage. In 1968, he began his 30-year career as a firefighter with the Rapid City Fire Department.  Terry thoroughly enjoyed his work with the Fire Dept.  He made so many lifelong friends there, being part of the "Firehall" family.  He was a firefighter, Crew Chief, Lieutenant, and EMT.  He was a very hard worker and believed that a guy should work hard, and rest on football day, with his family. After trying to be retired for a very brief time, he went to work at Rushmore Photo and Gifts, where he was named Employee of the Year in 2000. Terry also worked many years at the Colonial Pine Hills Water Department.  Eventually, he retired for real.

Terry carried memories of working in search and rescue during and after the 1972 Rapid City flood.  The work and the aftermath were very hard on the fire department family.

Terry's dad, Orlo, died unexpectedly in 1967.  Terry assumed the role of patriarch for his family, taking care of and helping his siblings and supporting his mother.  They were all very hard workers, and he took great pride in his family.

Terry married Pam Smith and two daughters were born, Gina Michelle in 1966 and Teresa (Teri) Ann in 1968.  Terry married the love of his life, Connie Ellerton, on January 18, 1973.  They began what would become a nearly 50-year marriage. Terry and Connie made a wonderful life together, including Terry's daughters and finally, their own daughter, Kara Rae who arrived in 1989.

Terry loved life in the Black Hills.  He was happy and had lots of stories to tell of his many years and seasons of hunting deer, elk, and pheasant.

He was a great dad.  I think above all, he loved Connie and his daughters very much.  He showed it in his teasing and jokes, as well as his constant concern for their wellbeing.  Terry loved all the little kids, including not only his daughters, but his nieces, nephew, grandsons, and granddaughters.  Babies HAD to be held.  Kids HAD to be teased and included in many jokes and shenanigans.  Teasing was his form of affection.

Terry loved to tell a joke, share a story, and have a beer with anyone who came over.  It was not a surprise to see 3, 4 or more firemen at his house and sometimes family too.  He was known for saying to anyone and everyone "Stop by for a beer".

There were so many family gatherings, chili feeds, football Sundays.  He played softball on the Fire Dept team, and he coached and umpired little league games.

His family was the most important thing in his life. His wife, Connie stood by his side for 50 years.  Connie joined the Frease family and became the frequent hostess of many family get togethers.  Connie's wish for all those years was to go on a vacation.  Terry happily took her on many vacations – but they all happened to end at a lake, river, or fishing hole.  She used to say she wanted to go on one vacation that didn't involve fishing.  Finally in the last few years, she got her wish.  Terry and Connie traveled to Arizona, Mexico and Hawaii.

All three of his daughters were so important to him.  His oldest, Gina, was known to enjoy a beer after work with him, wherever he was.  Teri enjoyed bantering with him back and forth and was his little fishing buddy.  Kara brought to life a whole new Daddy.  Her blue eyes and blonde hair got him wrapped around her little finger.  They were all so lucky to have Terry Frease for a Dad. As a grandfather, Terry enjoyed his grandchildren and they were all included in his teasing and tickling.

Terry was a loyal son, brother, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather.  He was very proud to be a Rapid City Firefighter but didn't spend time bragging about it.  His family was all proud of his career.

Left to miss him with their whole hearts are his wife, Connie of Rapid City; his daughter Gina (Larry) Thomsen, his daughter Teri Ann (Ken) Bertelsen, and his daughter Kara Frease – all of Rapid City.  Also missing him will be his brother Kerry Frease and his sister Sherry (John) Dwyer, all of Rapid City.  His grandchildren include Dylan (Taylor) Thomsen, Marissa (Joey) Delaney, Darian Perry, Mallory Perry, and his granddaughter Brittany (Kade) Anderson of Pierre, SD.  When Terry came home to hospice, he enjoyed watching little Kolsen grow up from a newborn to age 1 and even though Terry was physically unable to do much, he did enjoy having that little boy with him. He also leaves behind five great-grandchildren and one on the way.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents; Orlo and Violet Frease and his brother, Larry Frease.

In honor of Terry, and as so many of you did with him over the years, drink a beer and say a toast to him.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service for Terry on Monday, October 17, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 5311 Sheridan Lake Road, Rapid City.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of the Black Hills or Home + Hospice House.