Frances Jeanette (Bailiff) Waters Allen (2007)

ALLEN, WATERS, PATTEN, BAILIFF, BURNETT, MITCHELL, CLITES, CULLEN, BARKER, WATTS

Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 8/6/2007 at 21:04:29

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
August 1, 2007

Frances Jeanette Allen was born Feb. 26, 1912, in Adams County on a farm near Mt. Etna, Iowa, the daughter of Peter and Ortmus Patten Bailiff. She received her early education at the Boswell Country School before graduating from Corning High School.

On Oct. 12, 1929, Frances was united in marriage with Harold Waters at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church at Reno, Iowa. Their union was blessed with five children — Mary, Leo, Larry, Tom and Charles. They made their home on a farm in Adams County. Frances worked as a dietitian at the Rosary Hospital until moving to Winterset where she managed the Aldo Café for 20 years. While residing in Winterset, Frances was active in her neighborhood club and Altar Society. Harold died in October of 1966.

In 1970, Frances was united in marriage with Frank O. Allen at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winterset, Iowa. They made their home on a farm until retiring and moving to Denison in 1977. While residing in Denison, Frances enjoyed playing cards at the Senior Center, caring for her flowers, and traveling — including their trip to Hawaii. She collected shoes from her many travels, which she proudly displayed in her home, and enjoyed collecting dolls. In addition to her hobbies, Frances enjoyed her memberships in the Friday Club, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, and Legion of Mary. She also was active in the Democratic Party and served on the Care Review Board that checked on nursing home residents once a month. Frances was very proud of her grandchildren and will be remembered by them by how special she made each one of them feel, her joy of holding the babies in the family, and cooking and baking for them — especially her peanut butter cookies, apple pies and homemade noodles.

Frank died March 29, 2002. Frances continued to reside at their home, remaining as active as her health would permit.

Frances died Saturday afternoon, July 21, 2007, at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. At the time of her death, she had been blessed with 95 years, 4 months and 25 days.

In addition to her parents and her husbands, Frances was preceded in death by five brothers — Jennings, Ross, Harry, Merril and Larry Bailiff; four sisters — Velma Burnett, Letha Mitchell, Ruby Clites and Lula Barker; three great-grandchildren, Alex, McKinsey and Austin; and two stepsons.

Those remaining to cherish her memory include five children — Mary and husband Bill Cullen of Denison, Leo Waters and wife Beverly of Urbandale, Larry Waters and wife Jeanette of Iowa City, Tom Waters and wife Karna of Urbandale, and Charles Waters of Plano, Texas; good friend Katrina Becker of Denison; 17 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; two stepchildren, Curtis Allen and wife Connie and Laura Watts and husband Larry, all of Winterset, Iowa; and other relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison with Father Paul J. Kelly as Celebrant. Others participating in the Mass included Christian Symbol Placers, the children of Frances; Servers, Elizabeth and Annie Madsen; Lectors, Nancy Cullen and Barbara Doling; Gift Bearers, the grandchildren; and Eucharistic Ministers, Judy Renner, Martha Paz and Mary Kay Campbell. Music for the mass included St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir singing “You Are Mine” with Jean Cornelius as accompanist; the grandchildren singing “Jesus Stood by The Road,” “Be Thou My Vision,” “Amazing Grace,” “As the Deer Longs,” and “City of God.” Trumpet solos played by Alex Cullen were “Amazing Grace” and “The Battle Hymn of The Republic.”

Pallbearers included Alan Waters, Jeff Waters, Brenda Engel, John K. Waters, Dr. Joe Waters and Steve Waters.

Interment was at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Denison.

Following the interment the family invited everyone to join them at the St. Rose Parish Center for a time of fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by the St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild.

Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements where on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, a Legion of Mary Rosary, led by Richard and Rosemarie Penn, was prayed at 4:30 p.m. and a Parish Vigil Service, led by Father Paul J. Kelly, was held at 6 p.m.