Frances Lamb (1932-2019)

LAMB, ALTWEGG, WINDELL

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/24/2019 at 12:06:10

Frances "Fran" Lamb, 86, formerly of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Wesley Chapel, Florida, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Mark Khan.

Services are pending and will be announced under the care of the Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.

Frances Ann Altwegg was born on October 23, 1932, in Algona, Iowa to James and Irma (Windell) Altwegg. Her family moved to Redfield, IA, in 1943 and Frances graduated with the 18-member 1950 class of Redfield High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Bill D. Lamb, on April 15, 1951 in Redfield.

After Bill served in the Korean War, the couple settled near Redfield, living on the Lamb family farms until 1960 when the family moved to Nevada, Iowa, and eventually to Maquoketa in 1965. Frances was the quintessential stay-at-home Mom while her children were young. She then worked alongside her husband in their family business, Lamb Fertilizer and Crop Services, Inc., from 1971 until they sold the business in 1995. In retirement, Frances and Bill became "snowbirds" and spent their winters in Punta Gorda, FL where they had their second home. After Bill passed away in January 1999, Frances continued to migrate south and north each year, determined to never give up any new or old friends. Frances relocated to Florida permanently in 2013, where Susan and Mark lovingly cared for her the last five years of her life.

Frances was active in the Maquoketa United Methodist Church and was a 50-year member of P.E.O. Chapter BX. She was an avid reader and enjoyed the P.E.O. book club and many other social activities with numerous friends and neighbors in Maquoketa and Punta Gorda. Frances took great pleasure in all forms of music, both as a member of her church choirs and a spectator at countless symphony concerts, musicals and shows. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed doing needlework. Travel was another of Frances' favorite activities and she traveled extensively throughout her life, keeping detailed travel journals that are a testament to the joy she found in each of her many journeys.

Frances was a truly loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Those left to honor her memory include her three daughters and their husbands, Barbara and Joel Bierig of Venice, FL, Carol and Mark Behrer of Urbandale, IA, and Susan and Mark Khan of Wesley Chapel, FL; four grandchildren, Rebecca (Joseph Cohen) Bierig of Plano, TX, Brian (Emily Shelkowitz) Bierig of Denver, CO, Jessica Behrer of West Des Moines, IA, and Linda Behrer of Johnston, IA; step-grandchildren Sara (Thomas Renn) Khan of Tampa, FL, and Matthew Khan of Clearwater, FL; her brother Gary Altwegg and his wife, Sharol, of Logan, IA; sister-in-law Pat Altwegg of West Des Moines; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, James W. Altwegg.

The family would like to express much appreciation and gratitude to the wonderful caregivers, Katherine Van Dam and Ellen Brake, who were so dedicated and compassionate to Frances through her struggle with Alzheimer's in the last years of her life.

Memorials in Frances' memory may be made to the Maquoketa United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer's Association.