ASHLEY, Frances Louise (Anderson) 1920-2013

ASHLEY, ANDERSON, WOODIWISS

Posted By: COUNTY COORDINATOR
Date: 11/12/2013 at 23:30:14

Frances Ashley

Birth: May 23, 1920
Death: November 10, 2013

Service: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, Hauser Funeral Home

Frances Ashley, 93, of Charles City, died Sunday, November 10, 2013, at her home surrounded by her family.

Funeral services for Frances Ashley will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Hauser Funeral Home. Reverend John Hemann will officiate. Burial will be in Deerfield Cemetery rural Colwell.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and an hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Frances Louise Anderson was born in Carville, Iowa, (an old settlement south of Charles City, in Floyd County) on May 23, 1920, the daughter of Ernest and Nellie (Woodiwiss) Anderson. She attended country school in her elementary years and graduated from the Charles City High School in 1938. After graduation, Frances started working as a nurse at the hospital in Elma, IA for Dr. Hastings.

While working at the hospital she met Franklin Jesse Ashley and the two were united in marriage on June 20, 1942 in Spring Valley, Minnesota, at the Methodist Church by Reverend Evans. To this union four children were born and raised. Frances quit work to be a stay at home mother but was also known as being the neighborhood nurse for whoever needed help. Frankie and Frances resided on the Ashley family farm in rural Bassett, where Frances has lived for the last 71 years. In 1974 Frances returned to the workforce as a Floyd County Home Health Aide and in home personal care attendant until her retirement in 2003 and the age of 83! Her nursing career brought her many great experiences, including delivering her youngest brother Allan "Andy" in 1941.

During her life she was involved with many organizations including the Royal Neighbors of America, the Moose, the Elks, Washington School PTA, and Women's Relief Corp. Frances and her husband claimed to be "Salvation Universalists." She hosted many events in her home and was known to be able to serve over 100 people and never washing a dish due to her many dish sets. She also hosted "roundtable morning coffee" every morning with many area neighbors.

Frances enjoyed time with her family, crocheting, and dancing to a good Polka/ Waltz/ Shotish. She was able to see all grandchildren get married, and had the honor of having 11 of the 13 grandchildren and their families within a 30 mile radius of her home.

Living family members include three children, Marvelyn (Clayton) Lines of Marble Rock, James (Marguerite) Ashley of Bassett and Faye (Bill) Klassen of Ionia; a daughter-in-law, Mary Ashley of Bassett; 13 grandchildren and spouses; 29 great grandchildren, a great-great-grandson to be born in December; a sister, Evelyn Bonsall of Waterloo; a brother, Allan "Andy" Anderson of Stevensville, Mont., and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frankie Ashley; a son, Martin Ashley; four infants in pregnancy/childbirth; two great-grandchildren who were stillborn; a brother and wife, Lloyd and Alice Anderson; a sister and husband, Edna and Arlan "Barney" Banks; a brother-in-law, Donald Bonsall; and a sister-in-law, Donna Anderson.

Source: Hauser Funeral Home website, 11/12/13