Frankie Irene Waller

Frankie Irene Morse-Waller (92) passed away on April 16. 2026. She was a life-long resident of the Methow Valley. She was born to Frank and Bertha Morse on the Moccasin Lake Ranch in Winthrop on April 15, 1934. That same year she became the first infant to be baptized in the newly constructed St. Genevieve’s Catholic church in Twisp. Frankie was a devout catholic. She attended St. Genevieve’s for 87 years and then Our Lady of Fatima in Spokane for the last 5 years. On August 31, 1951, she married Paul Waller, Sr. Together they had seven children. Paul Waller, Jr; Kirby Waller; Don Waller; Marcee Waller; Karree Shultz; Julee Erkela; Greg Waller. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Paul; sons Paul Jr and Don Waller; and granddaughter, Kaitlyn Erkela. She is survived by eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. The family would like to thank Cindy Davis for all the love, support and friendship she gave to Frankie. Cindy was like a daughter to her. Cindy’s kindness and gentleness will never be forgotten. Thank you. Although Frankie spent the last 5 years in Spokane, her heart was always in the Methow. Her smile and friendly nature matched perfectly with the beautiful valley she grew up in. She was proud to serve on the Methow Valley school board during the 1970’s. During her tenure, she was selected to serve on the statewide school board association in Olympia. She was honored to be selected. On Frankie’s 23 rd birthday, her husband, Paul, asked her what she wanted to do. She said she wanted to go to Abram’s Chevrolet in Twisp. Chevrolet was having a contest for a jingle they could use in advertising. Paul thought that was kind of silly…but it was her birthday! So, he drove her down where she submitted her jingle. A few months later she got the call…She won the contest! On June 20, 1957 they once again drove to Abram’s Chevrolet in Twisp and picked up their brand new, Black ‘57 4-door chevy. That jingle is still used today. During the 1970’s Frankie worked as a cook at the North Cascades Smokejumper base in Winthrop. She and her good friend, Jean Damman, worked very long hours, barely getting much sleep. But they always greeted the smokejumpers with a warm smile…and a great meal. The smokejumpers lovingly nicknamed the two “Mean Jean” and “Crankie Frankie”! The names stuck and they were forever remembered as Mean Jean and Crankie Frankie. Frankie had many, many friends throughout her 92 years. We’d like to give a special shoutout to Jean Lloyd, Toni Damman, Lynn Gardner-Northcott, Debbie Renn, and Ann Port to name a few. Services will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026. Catholic Mass at St. Genevieve’s Catholic Church in Twisp at 2:00 pm Graveside services at the Winthrop Cemetery 3:30 pm Celebration of Life at the Bear Creek Golf Course 4:00 pm

Frankie Irene Waller

April 15, 1934 - April 16, 2026