Service Information
Dallis Dean Frandsen, age 86, of Medina, Minnesota, and formerly of Wabasha and Virginia, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Okalee Assisted Living in Medina, Minnesota.
Private Services will be held at a later date.
Obituary
Dallis Dean Frandsen was born on September 22, 1937, in Mandan, North Dakota. He was the son of Stanley and Esther (Hansen) Frandsen. Dallis was baptized as an infant at First Lutheran Church in Mandan. Dallis resided in Mandan until the 5th Grade, when his family moved to Steele, North Dakota, where he resided until the 9th Grade when they settled in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Dallis was confirmed in his faith during high school at Dorset Lutheran Church, near Park Rapids. He was a graduate of the Park Rapids High School Class of 1955. Dallis furthered his education at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and Bemidji State University, in Bemidji, Minnesota, where he majored in vocal and instrumental music and received his master’s degree in 1964.
Dallis served in the Army National Guard from 1954-1965, reaching the level of First Lieutenant.
On November 28, 1969, Dallis was united in marriage to Joanne (Raukar) Wilcox in South Dakota. They shared over 54 years of marriage.
Dallis’ first teaching job was at Bemidji High School in Bemidji, Minnesota. In 1959, he taught in Clearbrook, Minnesota, and in 1962, he taught in Winnebago, Illinois. In 1967, he began teaching at Virginia High School and retired December of 1996. He and Joanne enjoyed their retirement in Wabasha, Minnesota, where they enjoyed spending time with their numerous, close friends. He also served as a member of the Wabasha Rotary.
Dallis is best remembered for directing multiple choirs at Virginia High School in Virginia, Minnesota, from 1967 to 1996. His career also included beginning band lessons, directing musicals, plays, Madrigal dinners, along with coaching junior high football. The bearded choir director had intensity, enthusiasm, and a strong desire to excel, which left a lasting impression. His teaching style included a combination of strict discipline along with a wonderful sense of humor which he used to elicit the greatest potential from every student. This technique included his booming voice, foot stomping, hand clapping, loud whistles, and an occasional fist pound to the piano. Dallis built the VHS music program up from entry level music classes, to top-notch, award-winning choirs. His A Capella choirs were recognized as the best of Minnesota. He also took high school musicals to the next level. Each year he would provide opportunities for hundreds of students to be a part of a professional production. A Capella choir members looked forward to the annual spring choir trip which allowed them to become “recording artists.” Dallis’ favorite tradition was to invite alumni to the stage to sing “Silent Night” at the conclusion of each winter holiday concert. Near retirement, he enjoyed witnessing several generations of former students gather.
Music has always been a central focus in Dallis’ life. For a number of years, he directed several church choirs. He also enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors whether he was hunting (partridge and deer), fishing, camping, golfing, or downhill skiing. He also often shared fond memories of growing up on the farm. In the past, he also enjoyed bowling, playing cards, and being with friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
When he needed assistance with his daily care, Dallis moved to Okalee of Medina on July 26, 2021, where he resided in their Memory Care Assisted Living. He peacefully entered eternal life and was welcomed home by his Heavenly Father on the afternoon of Thursday, July 25, 2024, at the age of 86 years.
Blessed be his memory.
Dallis is survived by his:
Wife, Joanne Frandsen at Amira Choice of Plymouth, MN;
Children,
Mark Wilcox and his wife, Sheila, of Mt. Iron, MN;
Dean Pearson of Dallas, TX;
Sharon Biddle and her husband, Rick, of Lakewood, CO;
Eric Pearson of Grand Forks, ND and
Elizabeth “Liz” Larson of Rockford, MN, and her special friend, Scott;
Grandchildren, Aaron Wilcox and his wife, Jane, of Duluth, MN;
Andrew Wilcox and his wife, Marin, of North Branch, MN;
Nicole “Nici” Brown of Lakewood, CO;
Lauren “Lu Lu” Brown of Lakewood, CO; and
Sophia Larson of Minneapolis, MN;
Sister-in-Law, Pam Shega and her husband, Tom, of Duluth, MN;
Nephews, Kurt and Ken Smith;
Nieces, Cindy Bryantt and Beth Grabow;
Grand Dog, Ozzy Pawsbourne;
and numerous friends
Dallis was preceded in death by his Parents, Stanley and Esther Frandsen; Father-in Law and Mother-in-Law, Joe and Ann Raukar; Sister, Wanda M. Smith (March 2022) and Brother-in-Law, Vernon Smith (June 1995); Son-in-Law, Jonathan M. Larson (September 2019).
Susan Lalli says
All my love for a truly wonderful man.
Laura Ehling says
Mr. Frandsen taught me the value of being prepared. “Never read your words from paper! Don’t perform if you are not ready.” I loved and was a bit afraid of him: a very elegant combination. I certainly became a better human because he was my teacher. Godspeed, Mr. Frandsen. You can teach the heavenly chorus to exit the stage in both sides.
Brian Maki says
He was my choir director through 8th grade. And yes, everything in his obit is true. Passionate, booming, and inspirational!. He was respected and loved. I’ll never forget him and neither will Virginia. Rest in peace, Mr Frandsen. And thank you for everything.
Jane Dostal Hammann says
Mr.Frandsen, you will always hold a special place in my heart
William Lemieux says
Mr. Frandsen believed in me and made a difference in my high school life. Rest in Peace.
Kurt D Smith says
Missing my Uncle. In my very early years he was almost like an older brother….
Rest in Peace……
Julie Henderson says
In graduate school, they would ask us to think about a teacher that had an impact on our learning, and I would often think of Mr. Frandsen. He had an incredible drive for high-quality effort, and he made you feel like you were more than just an individual. Mr. Frandsen made us want to practice, and he had an uncanny way of making you feel good on your way to be becoming good. I know I was not alone in my love for him as a teacher, and he has greatly impacted the trajectory of many students’ lives. My sincerest condolences to his family, especially his wife Joanne, who he spoke of often in class, and his daughter Liz, who I had the fortune of knowing as a friend.
The class of ‘87 was very fortunate to have some of the best teachers on the Range, most of whom had honed their craft on the classes before us. Mr. Frandsen is somewhere leading that choir even now.
Missy salinas says
May you rest in peace, Mr. Frandsen. Thank you for being one of the best choir teachers I ever had.
Patrick Zollar says
A legendary figure in my life. The greatest teacher I’ve ever known.
My hero.
Lynn VanDervort Reese says
Mark Wilcox, my best to you and yours. You were a great friend to my dad and mom, and mom now lives with Lori. Your dad was like mine. They were the best.
Lynn VanDervort Reese says
Mr. Frandsen was my friend and teacher. I have a lot of memories, including the fact that through him and the choir program that I was one of a generation of Americans that saw the King Tut exhibition in Chicago as a senior. It’s the only time it’s been out of the country. Dallas knew how important it would be. He was the best
Phil Zupetz says
A great, great man. He introduced many of us to the wonderful world of choral music. I consider him as one of my mentors, having taught me about a world of other tbings aside from music. Rest in Peace with your Beautiful Savior.
Colleen Bocchi says
Dallis was a master of encouragement. My husband and I were fortunate to have him as our choir director in his first few years in Virginia. He saw untapped potential in his students and taught them to develop it and have fun in the process. We are thankful for his part in our lives and send our deepest sympathy to his family.
Curt & Colleen (Alar) Bocchi
John Trenti says
I was thrilled and nervous at the same time to be accepted into his choir class in the 10th grade. I realized early on that he was no ordinary (choir) teacher, but a demanding man of passion, knowledge and intensity. I really looked forward to his choir classes, not just for the musical education but also for the bond that was built with my fellow choir members regardless of what class we were in. Participation in the musicals was an added bonus — great, new, somewhat terrifying experiences that combined determined and lengthy preparation with terrific results and enormous satisfaction with the end product thanks to his guidance and commitment. When I think back on my high school years, he not only was my favorite teacher but later on he became a Britt Buddy before they moved out of the area. Rest in peace, Dallis. You made a difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NJ Softich says
I remember delivering the fruit boxes we sold as a fundraiser for class. I was about to take a load to Herbergers, where Mrs. Frandsen and my Mom worked together. Dallis handed me the keys to his Ramcharger and as I reached for them, he held onto them while sternly reminding me, “this is my only vehicle, Nicholas”!
My fondest memory was the Winter of 1996. The A Capella group was situated on the top floor, and the piece was “Silent Night”. About 45 seconds into the song, my level of respect and my love for Dallis overwhelmed me during my favorite Christmas song and I broke out in tears and could no longer sing. It wasn’t long before half of the entire choir was crying together. I don’t recall if we ever finished that song but I know I didn’t. Dallis retired from teaching shortly after that. Joanne and family, I want you to know that this man shaped my young heart and helped me to look at this world through a different, more positive lens.
For if we live, we live to the Lord. And if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we belong to the Lord! Romans 14:8
May our Heavenly Father welcome you into His gracious arms.
Sharon Rowbottom says
Just an hour after walking off of the stage I saw a post that my friend, teacher and mentor had passed away. He coached me and fed a passion. He gave me the skills and the confidence to pursue my love of music in a way that has given me joy my entire adult life. He wasn’t easy on any of his students. He had a way of making his students shine and be proud of what they accomplished. I was fortunate to have many great teachers in life, but he was by far, the one who inspired me. Rest easy, “Ole Dal” (as he referred to himself).
Dan Gunderson says
I had the opportunity to be mentored by Mr. Frandsen both on the Football Field as well as in our A Capella Choir. I wasn’t much of a singer – not for lack of effort, but just wasn’t something that was natural for me…which is why it surprised me that Mr. Frandsen wanted me to join the choir. He was a big believer in attitude, and saw things in me that I never saw in myself. I have a bunch of awesome memories, but two great memories that I have from my senior year in high school: one was listening to different records with him for an afternoon of orchestral performances and him teaching me to listen for very specific things and things that needed to be improved in what seemed like flawless performances to me, it was transformative in how I looked at music and was one of several opportunities I cherish with him. The second was at the end of the school year, when we were basically just down time, I asked him jokingly what he was going to do without my musical talents next year – his response to me was “Danny, I appreciate everything you’ve done, but there is a reason that I gave you all the speaking parts for solos(which was true)”…we both had a great laugh. He was a force, and amazing role model, and inspired so many to believe in themselves to lead at a critical time in their development. Mr. Frandsen had a full life, well lived…I thank him for sharing it with me.
Kim Cavers Norlander says
Mr. Frandsen was such a a big part of my love of Choral Music. His passion for music was felt by all students in his choir.
He demanded hard work & excellence, but earned respect & love!! He will forever hold a special place in my heart!!
I sang in his choirs in Virginia & continued on to be a Music Major at Bemidji State University singing in the choir, chamber singers & Madrigal dinners.
The world is a musical place thanks to the appreciation of music he instilled in others.
Linda Cedar Maki says
Choir was my favorite class of all time because you and Mr. Groves made me realize how much I loved to sing. Then during my years in Acapella you taught me how to bring out the best of myself through this love of music. Rest in peace, Mr. Frandsen.
Scot Kuester says
Liz , So sorry for your loss ! My condolences and sympathy to you and your family. I met him at Jonathan’s funeral .
Think of you often !
Catherine McBride says
Mr. Frandsen, I loved, trusted, and respected you in equal measure. You changed my life and set my trajectory toward excellence. I think of you very often, still love to sing, and appreciate your influence every day.
Daniel Sundberg says
Every year around Christmas,Mr. Frandsen would bring his choir over to our elementary school. They would walk the halls and fill the school with music. The teachers and students were always deeply impressed!
Rest in peace, Dallas!
Jen (Orso) Jenkins says
Mr. Frandsen was a great man. I enjoyed him and Mr. Groves tremendously. Oh the memories!!! Enjoy your time in Heaven! You have been missed since moving from the Iron Range.
Carol (Nyrhinen) VanderHorck says
Dear Mr. Frandsen (my angel since I was 16), I have so much to thank you for! I tried out for choir and was accepted into your A Cappella choir when I was in 10th grade. What an honor! From the first practice at Malone Hall until I walked out the door as a senior, I knew you remain my favorite teacher and be a “silent” mentor as I pursued my career in education. Love & compassion, intensity & humor…what dynamic mixes to instill hard work and results in which to be proud after every performance. These are what I tried to use in my classroom. ~~May you continue directing the cherub choir and all the choir of angels in heaven. I will listen for your booming voice and watch for your sweat drops in the rain. ~~My most sincere condolences to the entire Frandsen family.
Carol (Nyrhinen) VanderHorck
A fellow “Brittster”