Frances S. Hunt
Frances S. "Fran" Hunt of West Salem, formerly of Elm Grove, died March 2, 2009, at age 92.
She was born Dec. 19, 1916, to Clarence E. and Ida O. (nee Wahl) Strong on the family farm in Somers. She was the eldest of three daughters and was raised by her Aunt Ethel Strong.
In 1935, while attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she met the love of her life, Lenard A. Hunt, at a college Halloween dance. After graduation, Frances returned to Houston, and they kept in touch by exchanging photo scrapbooks. They married at the campus chapel Dec. 28, 1940.
She was a member of Alpha Xi Delta and inducted into The Order of Pearl for 60-year membership in 1995. Frances and Lenard built a home, raising four children in Mission Hills Development in 1950, before Elm Grove became a village. She vowed to Lenard she would care for him in his "castle" until he departed on a stretcher, which happened on May 21, 2005. He died Sept. 12, 2005, in West Salem three months from their 65th wedding anniversary.
Frances was a charter member of the United Community Methodist Church and Methodist Women and received the first 25-year volunteer award. Frances enjoyed preparing and hosting many dinner parties for Lenard's business associates, gun clubs members and the Elm Grove Volunteer Fire Department (Lenard was a charter member). She accompanied Lenard on business to every contiguous state in the U.S., as well as Japan, Mexico, Spain, Belgium and Canada. She enjoyed gardening, needlework, reading, crossword puzzles, and was an avid cribbage player, Den mother, Brownie and Girl Scout leader.
She is survived by her children, Susan Christensen of Middleton, Robert J. (Pam) Hunt of Tempe, Ariz., Jane (Gus) Hunt-Gostisha of West Salem, and Lynn (Jim) Fritz of Phoenix, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 6, at 11 a.m. at the Community United Methodist Church, 14700 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove. The Rev. Charles Harberg will officiate. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Somers.
Memorials are suggested to Community United Methodist Church Building Fund or to the donor's charity.
The family thanks Mom's church "family" at United Methodist Church and the special guidance from pastor Chuck Harberg; Dan, her "taxi" driver; Jeanette and Guenther Friedl for visits; all of Elm Grove and special "Mommy" helper, Jane Halverson of West Salem.
Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem, handled the arrangements.
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