Frances Roesch

Frances Marie (Harry) Roesch was born November 7, 1920, in Bartley, Nebraska, to Victor M. and Della (Blair) Harry. She passed away on March 11, 2019, at the age of 98, in Colby. As a child, Frances lived with her mother and brother in McCook, NE, until the third grade. They moved to Atwood where she attended school, graduating from Atwood High School in 1939. Frances met Charles F. “Fritz” Roesch and they dated throughout high school. They were married on August 3, 1941, at the Atwood Methodist Parsonage. They began their life together at their farm, on the south Beaver Creek, later building a home eight miles west of Chardon. There they raised their three children, Charles Edward “Chuck”, Richard Lee “Dick” and Marcia Jean.

Frances and Fritz were avid Colby Eagle fans, supporting their children in school sports and activities. They loved to play cards with their neighbors and friends. They took many vacations with Leigh and Beulah Shirley and attended Shrine events together.

Frances continued to live on the family farm after Fritz’s death in 1981. She retired from the farm and moved to Colby in 1984. Frances became a member of RSVP in 1987, where she enjoyed volunteer work. She especially enjoyed being the Pick-Pocket Clown at the Girl Scout carnivals, helping at Santa City, craft fairs and playing bingo.

Frances was baptized in 1950, at the Stevens Chapel, southwest of Atwood. In 1999, she was baptized at the Christian Church of the Plains, in Colby.

Frances was lovingly known by her grandchildren as “Grandma Francie” or “Granny Franny” and they all knew where her cookie/candy cabinet was and that there was Coca Cola in the fridge. She will be remembered as kind and thoughtful. She always thanked the people who cared for her and always asked what she could do for them.

Frances will be sadly missed by her family, sons, Chuck (Beatriz) and Dick (Linda) and daughter Marcia (David) Wagoner; grandchildren, Tracy (Dwight) Coleman, Imperial, NE, Mandy (Brad) Leitner, Atwood, Kim (Josh) Schwarz, Colby, Karen Bryant (Jim Wright), Manhattan, Bradley (Angie) Wagoner, Quinter, and Scott (Jessica) Roesch, Colby; eleven great grandchildren, Wade Elwood, Mallory Oxford, Macy Coleman, Taylor Leitner, Lexy Leitner, Jason Bryant, Ethan Bryant, Cali Wagoner, Riley Wagoner, Cora Roesch and Ladd Roesch; great-great grandson, Whitley Elwood; numerous relatives, friends and the many special caregivers, doctors, nurses and staff at Colby Health and Rehab.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Vera and Eva; brother Everett Harry and her husband Charles F. “Fritz” Roesch.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2019, also at the Mortuary, with burial in Fairview Cemetery, Atwood. Memorials are suggested to Hospice Services of NWKS or RSVP, sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, Po Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com