Bethel remembers Leta Frazier

The beloved professor emerita of communication studies died at her home in Rogers, Minnesota, on February 8. She is remembered by students and colleagues for her leadership, activism, and winsome personality.

By Monique Kleinhuizen '08, GS'16, content specialist

March 11, 2025 | 9:45 a.m.

Professor laughs in a tiara

Leta Frazier at her retirement celebration at Bethel in 2018

Leta Frazier was a beloved professor, mentor, and friend whose warmth, humor, and deep commitment to her students made her a cherished figure at Bethel University. With a winsome personality and an infectious love for teaching, she left an indelible mark on countless students who found both inspiration and challenge in her classroom. 

She championed the voices of those often unheard, encouraging dialogue and understanding. Her decades of teaching were defined by her ability to connect, encourage, and challenge students to think deeply, communicate effectively, and live with purpose.

Leta Jane Gray Frazier, Ph.D., passed away peacefully on February 8 at her home in Rogers, Minnesota. She was 88 years old. 

Leta’s life

Leta was born in 1937 in Pekin, Illinois, and earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Tennessee Temple College and a master’s in teaching from the University of Chattanooga. In 1988, she earned master’s and doctoral degrees in communications from the University of Minnesota. She was a teacher for over 50 years, including 35 as a professor at Bethel.

Throughout her career, she remained committed to the highest standards of teaching and education. In 2019, she was awarded the title of professor emerita at Bethel. When she wasn’t in the classroom, she was a voracious reader and enjoyed cultivating and arranging flowers.

Leta is survived by her husband, former Bethel professor of communication studies Philip Frazier; daughters Linda Joy Frazier and Jennifer Sue Frazier Lally ’91; sons-in-law Peter Ditmanson and Daniel Lally; and grandchildren EJ and Frazier Ditmanson.

Bethel media through the years

When Leta retired from Bethel in 2018, she shared her unique perspective on how Bethel, academia, and culture had changed over the years—and what had remained constant. She described her teaching style as a mix of “grit and whim” and recalled how she eschewed smartphones in her classroom as a way of encouraging interpersonal connection.

Leta has been celebrated for her leadership of and advocacy for Bethel women on "The Women of Bethel" blog, a digital history compiled by Bethel history professor Chris Gehrz. An extended interview with Leta was also part of the "Why We Teach" documentary directed by Assistant Professor of History Sam Mulberry as part of his 2018 sabbatical. The film featured interviews with fifteen professors who have won the Bethel Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching.

Interview with Leta Frazier for the "Why We Teach" documentary

Many years ago, Dr. Leta Frazier was a champion for diversity and anti-racism at Bethel. She was an encouragement to me and so many other BIPOC members of our community.

Many years ago, Dr. Leta Frazier was a champion for diversity and anti-racism at Bethel. She was an encouragement to me and so many other BIPOC members of our community.

Leo Gabriel
Professor of Business
Leta Frazier really was one of the pillars in the foundation of Bethel University. She fought the hard fights, she led through difficult times, she always advocated for and protected her people, but most of all, she had a beautiful ability to see her students and colleagues. She mentored, listened, supported, hugged, and cared for people in a way that was deep and meaningful.

Leta Frazier really was one of the pillars in the foundation of Bethel University. She fought the hard fights, she led through difficult times, she always advocated for and protected her people, but most of all, she had a beautiful ability to see her students and colleagues. She mentored, listened, supported, hugged, and cared for people in a way that was deep and meaningful.

Peggy Kendall
Professor and co-chair, Communication Studies
She lived her faith daily for all to see and was the epitome of a strong woman of faith, vision, and an example of what it meant to be a trailblazer. She was a wonderful colleague and a source of encouragement and inspiration. Her presence in the workplace brought warmth, wisdom, and a true sense of being part of something bigger, a vision for the department, and a challenge to us to leave a legacy for our students and department.

She lived her faith daily for all to see and was the epitome of a strong woman of faith, vision, and an example of what it meant to be a trailblazer. She was a wonderful colleague and a source of encouragement and inspiration. Her presence in the workplace brought warmth, wisdom, and a true sense of being part of something bigger, a vision for the department, and a challenge to us to leave a legacy for our students and department.

Nancy Brule
Professor of Communication Studies
Leta profoundly shaped my education. She set a high bar, expecting more from me and challenging me to think bigger. As Leta’s TA, I spent countless hours in her office, where she poured into me—mentoring, stretching, and investing in ways that continue to influence me today. My boyfriend—now husband—and I both took Interpersonal Communication, a class team-taught by Phil and Leta. We often joke that it has saved our marriage more than once!

Leta profoundly shaped my education. She set a high bar, expecting more from me and challenging me to think bigger. As Leta’s TA, I spent countless hours in her office, where she poured into me—mentoring, stretching, and investing in ways that continue to influence me today. My boyfriend—now husband—and I both took Interpersonal Communication, a class team-taught by Phil and Leta. We often joke that it has saved our marriage more than once!

Jeanne Osgood
Chief of Staff and Vice President of Advancement
I had a memorable experience in observing Leta teach a class years ago. While she demonstrated an unequivocal love for each student and the course content, her teaching methods forever influenced me. I still don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a more exceptional educator in a classroom.

I had a memorable experience in observing Leta teach a class years ago. While she demonstrated an unequivocal love for each student and the course content, her teaching methods forever influenced me. I still don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a more exceptional educator in a classroom.

Craig Case
Professor of English

Make a gift in memory of Leta Frazier

Since 2019, with the help of friends and alumni, the Phil and Leta Frazier Communications Award has provided financial assistance to high-achieving communication studies students at Bethel. To make a gift to the fund in memory of Leta Frazier, select "other" and designate the Phil and Leta Frazier Communications Award.

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