1940
Frances
2019
Frances "Fran" D. Barsema
February 29, 1940 — April 18, 2019
Frances “Fran” D. Barsema, age 79, of Thomson, Illinois, died Thursday, April 18, 2019 at Genesis Health Systems in Davenport, Iowa. A private family burial of ashes will take place in Upper York Cemetery, Argo Fay.
Fran was born February 29, 1940 in Phoenix, Arizona, the daughter of Cleon and Mary Jane (Burton) Dodge. She attended Clinton High School. On April 20, 1973, Frances married Kenneth “Woodchuck” Barsema in the Spring Valley Reformed Church in Fulton, Illinois. Together they raised three children and celebrated 29 years of marriage until Kenneth’s death in 2003.
Fran was a homemaker who cherished taking care of her family. She also drove truck for a short time, under the handle, “Lead Bottom.” She and her husband enjoyed camping every weekend with their fifth wheel camper out West and at Potter’s Marsh Campground in Thomson. Frances was a people person and was never afraid to say exactly what was on her mind. She loved gathering with folks at the campground, and spending nights talking around the campfire.
Fran will be dearly missed by her three children, David Larsen of Chicago, Illinois, Valeree Kelchner of Fulton, Illinois, and Scott (Melissa) Jackson, Clinton, Iowa; nine grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Cleo (John) Dusanek, Dixie Small, and Linda Rathje. Fran is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth.
Fran was born February 29, 1940 in Phoenix, Arizona, the daughter of Cleon and Mary Jane (Burton) Dodge. She attended Clinton High School. On April 20, 1973, Frances married Kenneth “Woodchuck” Barsema in the Spring Valley Reformed Church in Fulton, Illinois. Together they raised three children and celebrated 29 years of marriage until Kenneth’s death in 2003.
Fran was a homemaker who cherished taking care of her family. She also drove truck for a short time, under the handle, “Lead Bottom.” She and her husband enjoyed camping every weekend with their fifth wheel camper out West and at Potter’s Marsh Campground in Thomson. Frances was a people person and was never afraid to say exactly what was on her mind. She loved gathering with folks at the campground, and spending nights talking around the campfire.
Fran will be dearly missed by her three children, David Larsen of Chicago, Illinois, Valeree Kelchner of Fulton, Illinois, and Scott (Melissa) Jackson, Clinton, Iowa; nine grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Cleo (John) Dusanek, Dixie Small, and Linda Rathje. Fran is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth.
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