Jane Ellen Fransen, 73, of Morrison, IL, died Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at Resthave Nursing Home in Morrison.
Jane was born May 24, 1944, in Morrison, to Loyal and Evelyn (Mason) Brandt. She grew up on the family farm with her best friends, sister Jeanne and cousin John Mason. She graduated from Morrison High School, where she enjoyed cheerleading and 4H. On August 31, 1968, she married the love of her life, Larry J. Fransen. He passed away on March 17, 2006. Jane and Larry enjoyed supporting their children and grandchildren in numerous sports and activities. They loved to travel, the theater, and time spent with friends. For 18 years Jane served as Circuit Clerk of Whiteside County, and her courthouse family was near and dear to her heart. She also enjoyed serving on the Board of Self-Help, Inc. Jane was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church in Morrison, where she served as an Elder and Deacon and was a member of the Presbyterian Women’s Guild. She enjoyed helping in her daughter Janessa’s second grade classroom, spending time with her grandchildren, niece and nephew, and her good friend, Sally Hayen. She was a Chicago Cubs fan, enjoyed having lunch with her cousins, and loved her cat, Ginger Marie. Jane was looking forward to the marriages of her grandchildren next fall: Ryan Ashby to granddaughter Ashley Sotelo and Kristen Petrizzo to grandson Seth Stillman.
Jane is survived by three daughters, Julia Sotelo, Janessa Renkes, and Laura Arthur; sons-in-law, Mark Renkes and Jeff Arthur; eight grandchildren, Ashley Sotelo, Tyler Renkes, Erik (Megan) Renkes, Seth Stillman, Bailey Stillman, Avery Arthur, Campbell Arthur, and Besalu Arthur; one sister, Jeanne (Bob) Kuba; niece Beth (John) Hubbard; nephew, Mike Kuba; long-time friend, Sally Hayen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Loyal and Evelyn Brandt; her husband of 37 years, Larry.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 2:00 p.m., Monday, September 18, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church in Morrison, IL
OFFICIATING: Rev. Dr. Michael Selburg, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Morrison, IL
VISITATION: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, September 17, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church in Morrison, IL
The Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
INTERMENT: Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL
Memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and First Presbyterian Church, Morrison, IL, have been established.