Frances “Fran” Donaldson, 62, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Saturday, August 11, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Her funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at the First Baptist Church, Dell Rapids. Interment will be in the Dell Rapids Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 with the family present at 6:00 p.m. and the prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Kahler Funeral Home.
Fran was born on July 7, 1950 in Sparta, VA, the third of eight children born to Ethel (Young) Heesch. In 1953 Fran moved with her family to Dell Rapids, SD where she attended school. She was married in 1969, and to that union she bore her son, Jamie, who was the love of her life.
Fran worked for the Dell Rapids School System for twelve years, sharing her warmth and compassion to the children she inspired. She then worked at Citibank where she received various awards for being an outstanding employee. She most recently worked in the business office for Krueger Excavating in Sioux Falls. Fran was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church in Dell Rapids. She had a strong faith in God and her courage and strength was a great inspiration to her church family.
Her favorite past times included gardening and canning vegetables, baking, quilting, and spending time with her grandchildren, who brought so much joy to her life. Fran will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her love of family and friends, her faith in Jesus Christ, and her ability to provide nurture and support to those around her.
Grateful for having shared her life are her son, Jamie Donaldson; her grandchildren, Haley and Orion Donaldson all of Dell Rapids; her sisters, Alma (Harvey) Shumaker of Humboldt, Jane (Jerry) Hogan of Dell Rapids, Mary (Dennis) Gannon of Dell Rapids, Grace (Larry) Wellman of Sioux Falls, Susan Rae of MN; her numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Ethel Mae Heesch and her nephew, David Lee Shumaker.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Frances Donaldson Memorial Fund. www.kahlerfh.com