Judith Fraas Obituary, Death – After a brief bout with illness, on June 27, 2023, Judith Stapleton Fraas, age 84, a resident of Columbia, passed away at her residence surrounded by her devoted family. She had a brief illness. Judith Ann Stapleton was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 21, 1938. Her parents, William J. and H. Maude (Cole) Stapleton, passed away before her birth. The Stapleton homestead was located in Emmett, Michigan, and she spent the majority of her formative years there. In 1960, Judy earned a degree in Sociology from Mount St. Scholastica College, where she had previously studied.
In Kansas City, Missouri, on June 10, 1961, Judy wed the man who would become the love of her life, Charles J. Fraas, Jr. The couple celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this year. After a prosperous and fulfilling career, Judy took early retirement from her position as a Senior Research Analyst at the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services. Bridge was one of Judy’s favorite games, and she devoured books whenever she had any spare time. In addition, she enjoyed spending time outside with Charlie.
Her survivors include her husband, Charles J. Fraas, Jr.; four children, Martin (Christine) Fraas of Shorewood, IL; Julia Fraas of Chicago, IL; Sheila (Steve) Ferguson of Glasgow, MO; and Matthew (Anya) Fraas of Newport News, VA; one brother, James (Darlene) Stapleton of Emmett, MI; 12 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and numerous family and friends. Maureen Stapleton Flores, Judy’s sister, passed away before her, following in the footsteps of both of Judy’s parents.
In accordance with the requests that Judy expressed in her last will and testament, a memorial service will be performed on December 2 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and Columbarium in Emmett, Michigan. Father Tom Kuehnemund will preside over the ceremony. After that, there would be a lunch held at the Stapleton homestead.
