Monroe farmer milked life for all it was worth

With the passing of local dairy farmer Tim Frohning, a bit of Monroe's history has been lost. But his loved ones are working hard to maintain family traditions by honoring his vision and preserving his memory.

Tim passed away at his farm on Sunday, May 8, after a decade-long battle with congestive heart failure. He was surrounded by family during his final days, including his wife of 32 years, Sandi, and his sons Matthew, 31, Timmy Lee, 25, Doug, 22, and adopted sons Eli, 5, and Cameron, 26.

The Frohning family held a celebration of life for Tim at Cascade Church on Monday, May 23. Grounded in their faith, Tim and Sandi had attended Cascade since it was planted in Monroe in 1997. In conjunction with Cascade, the two have hosted annual baptism events at their riverside farm.

Tim was preceded in death by his son, Danny, who died in 2006.

Genetics are strong in the Frohning family. All his sons bear a striking resemblance to Tim, who had a shock of white hair. Tim's hair went white at the age of eight, Sandi said. With his large frame, bushy white beard and jovial persona, many agree he strongly resembled Santa Claus. -á -á

Tim hadn't felt good for a long time, Sandi said, and his health began deteriorating further during the past year. After an extended hospital stay, he was temporarily transferred to a rehabilitation center before coming home under hospice care on March 22. By March 27, it seemed his body was shutting down, and family members arrived to say goodbye.

On March 31, he spent his 60th birthday somewhere between life and death, sleeping a lot as family lingered close by. By April 3, Sandi thought for sure it was over, but Tim decided he wasn't quite finished. He fell into a restful slumber, and woke up several hours later suddenly rejuvenated, she said; he sprang back to life. He woke up alert, cheerful and in seemingly good health.-á -á

"And then we had four weeks where he was pain free,GÇ¥ Sandi said. "My husband hasn't been pain free in a decade.GÇ¥

He was energized during those four weeks. He ordered 10,000 strawberry plants and five pigs, Sandi said. He helped her bake a pie, which was a long-standing tradition. He had time to talk with all his sons, enjoy his farm and enjoy his life, she said.

"He was back 150 percent,GÇ¥ Sandi said. "It was a gift given to us by God. I mean, it was just a gift, and it helped every single one of us.GÇ¥

Most importantly, he spent his final few weeks having a great time.

"I'd say he was probably more delighted than anybody, because he had a blast,GÇ¥ Sandi said. "God was very kind to us, very gentle, very kind, and so we have no complaints. Really, no complaints.GÇ¥

Tim and Sandi both come from original pioneer families that settled in the Tualco Valley on land that was acquired by their families in 1875 and 1877, respectively. Tim grew up on one farm while Sandi grew up on another, their lives intertwined practically from the moment they were born. Sandi remembers riding past another neighboring farm, craning her neck to look for Tim's green truck as she headed down to mow her grandmother's lawn.

"I used to take him lemonade and all that other good stuff,GÇ¥ Sandi said.

They both graduated from Monroe High School, after which Tim stayed to work on the farm and Sandi attended Washington State University. Once they decided to marry, they had to wait until November, Sandi recalled, because in order for Tim to be able to enjoy his own wedding, growing season needed to be over.

"It's interesting, because you will find those November weddings in the farming community because of that,GÇ¥ Sandi said.

The two were married on Nov. 12, 1983. They even made farming a part of their wedding ' after the ceremony, they were transported by tractor to the Wagner Grange Hall for the reception. Sandi earned a teaching degree that year, but made the decision to be a farm wife, working alongside her husband.

She said she never regretted it.-á

"We were in the same space our whole marriage,GÇ¥ Sandi said. "I've often said that they need to have marriage counseling while helping to put up fence.GÇ¥

Tim was an "artist on a loader,GÇ¥ Sandi said. He was in charge of feeding the cows, while Sandi was tasked with caring for the calves. He was passionate about farming, family and helping others. Back when his sons were growing up, they had about 150 milk cows; the milk was picked up daily by Vitamilk. It's changed a bit over the years. Today, they have around 85 milk cows and Darigold picks up the milk.

"He was very passionate about farming. He enjoyed the product ' he enjoyed milk. Maybe that's not true for every dairy farmer,GÇ¥ Sandi said. "He loved milk.GÇ¥

They worked hard over the years, experienced great joy and overcame extreme hardship, including devastating floods and the death of their son, Danny, in a hunting accident in 2006; he was accidentally shot by a friend in a game-release area near the Frohning Farm.

But Tim didn't dwell in blame and misery, Sandi said. Instead, he instantly forgave his son's accidental shooter, and so did she.-á -á

"Tim got right down out there in the field and told him, "I forgive you, and you're my son,' GÇ¥ Sandi said.

Tim connected with dozens of troubled youth over the years and would recruit them to work on the farm. The Frohning Farm helped transform many young lives through the power of hard work, camaraderie and humor, Sandi said. According to the family, Tim felt there was always room for one more on the farm.

"Tim had a big, huge laugh,GÇ¥ Sandi said. "He really, really enjoyed people; it didn't matter who you were. I mean, he didn't judge anybody.GÇ¥

Tim connected with those kids easily, Sandi said, possibly because could relate. Academics never came easy for him, she said.-á

"That sort of gave him a heart for anybody that was just struggling,GÇ¥ Sandi said.

Cameron Montgomery is one of those "adoptedGÇ¥ sons. After losing his father in a U.S. 2 accident, Montgomery endured several difficult years before coming to live with the Frohnings in 2008. Montgomery became a cherished and respected member of the family, Sandi said, and to this day works hard to help the Frohnings operate the dairy.

Tim was a big guy, and had to have a lot of help getting from place to place. Montgomery was often enlisted to help Tim move around, as his mobility became increasingly challenging.

Montgomery said one of his favorite things about Tim was his willingness to accept anybody.-á

"If you're one of his boys, then you're part of the family. It didn't matter where you came from or what you were going through, he treated you just the same as his boys,GÇ¥ Montgomery said.

He had fun being goofy, Montgomery said, and could always make people laugh, no matter what else may have been going on in their lives. He made up silly nicknames for his loved ones that got everybody giggling.

Tim demonstrated caring for people young and old consistently throughout his life. In 2011, he learned that his milkers had experienced a family crisis; their grandson had been taken by Child Protective Services (CPS) and placed into the state's custody. Tim reached out to CPS authorities, asking; "What about the little guy, can he come here?GÇ¥

Thirteen-month-old Eli came to live with them on the farm. Tim and Sandi always joked it was their "two-hour pregnancy;GÇ¥ Sandi had been on her way to a Monroe High School football game when she got the call, and learned that Eli was on his way.

Now 5 years old, Eli was formally adopted by Tim and Sandi in 2013.

When asked what his favorite thing about his dad was, young Eli earnestly stated, "that he was nice.GÇ¥

Growing up, Tim was his father's shadow on the farm, a practice that was passed along generationally to all his sons, especially his oldest, Matt.

"Those two have been together every single day of their lives,GÇ¥ Sandi said.

Each of their boys look like Tim in their own way, but have very distinct personalities, she said. Sandi recalled a time when she sent Tim into town with Doug, their youngest, to pick up some Crisco. Doug was worried about getting the right type, since some cans of Crisco had a picture of cherry pie on the container while others showed fried chicken. He consulted with Tim, who told him to grab both to be safe. Sandi questioned them once they were home.

"I'm like, why is there two? And so then they said, "Well it was cherry pie for this one and fried chicken for that one. We didn't know which one you needed, so we brought them both home,' GÇ¥ Sandi said.

Sandi laughingly explained that, had it been Matt, he wouldn't have purchased either. Had it been Danny, he would have solicited the help of every female in the vicinity to figure out which was correct. If it had been Timmy Lee, he would have scrapped the Crisco and gone to buy batteries. -á -á

The family's closeness is apparent inside the Frohning's farmhouse, their love for Tim Frohning permeating the air.

"I couldn't have asked for a better dad,GÇ¥ Timmy Lee said.

After a lifetime of boys, Sandi is excited to have a few girls in the family. Timmy Lee's wife, Sam, and their daughter, Sophia, have been welcomed into the band, along with the couple's son, Brayden, who is almost a year old.

Tim will be missed by all those whose lives he touched.

"Tim loved people. He could love well,GÇ¥ Sandi said. "I don't want to say it came easy, but he just was able to love people.GÇ¥

Family friend LaVonne Clark set up a fundraising site to help the family take care of Tim's medical expenses. For more information, visit www.gofundme.com/TimFrohningfamily.