Lloyd Frechette

Lloyd James "Jim" Frechette Jr., 68, of White Bear Lake passed away unexpectedly at his home on July 22, 2021. Jim was born in St. Paul, MN, August 25, 1952. He worked at Schwing America where he dedicated 37 years of his life, retiring in 2016. Jim was an avid hunter, fisherman, gardener, and storyteller. As many know, he was the self-proclaimed "Crappie King," and even had the tattoo to prove it. He took his role as the "Crappie King" very seriously, and you could always find him where the fish were biting. Jim was a father, a partner, a mentor, a friend, a counselor, a role model, and a confidant, the list goes on and on. He will be missed by all. Jim is survived by his longtime partner, Carolyn Cooley; daughters, Natasha (Phil) Gjertson, and Tiffany (Drew) Miller; grandchildren Spencer, Avery, Sadie, Nolan, and Ruby; sister, Linda Hacker; step-mom, Phyllis Frechette; half-sisters, Debbie (Sid) Williams and Kari (Glenn) Germain; Carolyn's daughters, Faith Vadnais-Kuny, Emily (Matt) Cooley Dobbins, Madeline (Mike) Bobkins, and their children Katherine, Beatrice, Beau, and Marley. Nephew David (Angie) Frechette. He is preceded in death by his father, Lloyd Frechette Sr., mother, Donna Mae Osmundson; step-father, Bernard Osmundson; half-brother, Joel Frechette, half-sister, Lisa Frechette-Schurmeier, and brother-in-law, Keith Hacker. There will be a celebration of life August 21, 2021 from 12:00-3:00 p.m. at Vanelli's by The Lake, 55 Lake St. S., Forest Lake, MN 55025. At 1:00 p.m. there will be a prayer and open microphone to share stories about Jim. Please dress casually. Wear your best hunting or fishing attire. Our precious Jim. Whose love, laughter, strength, and memories together brought joy to us all. The love here is so overwhelming, and I know love, prayers, and strength are being sent from near and far. We are just a fraction of those whose lives you have impacted, and in whose hearts you reside. You have been a father, a partner, a mentor, a friend, a counselor, a role model, a confidant.. The list goes on and on. Seeing loved ones has a way of fortifying us. But you had the additional gift of knowing how to instantly make someone smile just in the way you greeted them. The nicknames you have assigned will stick forever. All of your songs and stories will too--though your delivery will never be topped.I can still hear your voice clear as day. I hope heaven has a garden for you to sow, a lake for you to fish, a woods to hunt, a waitress to convince it’s your birthday...everyday, the Money Channel on in the background, every “helluva good meal” you have had over the years.. But mostly an open line back to all of us here who still need you. We will all watch for you in different ways, and I know your spirit will remain with each of us, giving comfort and watching over all of the things we so desperately wish you would be here physically to experience. Pablo Neruda wrote: I LOVE YOU WITHOUT KNOWING HOW, OR WHEN, OR FROM WHERE. I LOVE YOU SIMPLY, WITHOUT PROBLEMS OR PRIDE. I LOVE YOU THIS WAY BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW ANY OTHER WAY OF LOVING BUT THIS. This is how we have loved you and how we will continue to love you. To know you was to love you. To miss you is unbearable. To have been loved by you is a gift, so I know that all of us here today are among some of the luckiest. For this I am forever grateful.