Frances M. "Franny" Girard 1924 - 2017

GIRARD, POWER, MCCOLLIGAN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/25/2017 at 23:15:50

Sioux City Journal
29 June 2017

Frances M. "Franny" Girard, 93, of Sioux City, passed away Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at the Cathedral of the Epiphany Catholic Church. The Rev. Brent Lingle and Rev. Richard Sitzmann will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a Catholic Daughters of the America rosary at 6 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., all at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Franny was born on April 22, 1924, in Newcastle, Neb., the daughter of Albert and Katherine "Katie" (Power) McColligan. The family farmed in Newcastle until a fire destroyed their home at which time they moved into town and then to Jackson, Neb. In 1932, the family moved to Sioux City. Franny attended school in Jackson and then at St. Boniface in Sioux City before graduating from Central High School in 1941. After graduation, she moved to Wichita, Kan. in support of the World War II effort and worked as a specialist in the final tail alignment and the wiring of airplane radio sections at Beechcraft Airplane Plant.

It was there, Franny met and married her crew chief Leo Girard on June 30, 1943. After the war, Leo and Franny farmed for several years in the St. Joseph/Clyde, Kan. area before moving to Sioux City in 1948. They became long time members of the Cathedral of the Epiphany Catholic Church.

Franny was very active at Cathedral, Epiphany Grade School and Heelan High School. She served as secretary/treasurer for the Catholic Daughters, was on the Carmel Board and active in Altar Society and Parents Club. Leo served as president of the Parents Club and was employed at Roberts Dairy for more than 40 years. Franny and Leo also took tickets at all Heelan High sporting events for more than 43 years, earning them the titles of Mr. & Mrs. Heelan. Leo and Franny were parents of 10 children all of whom graduated from Heelan High School. Leo passed away on Feb. 4, 2006 in Sioux City.

Survivors include her children, Lee Girard (Trese), Terry Rees (Duane), Mary R. Mueller, Anne Jackson (Larry), Tom Girard (Sheryl), Cecilia Geary (Nick), Barb Bernard (Glen), and Chris Dekker (Brian); 21 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

Franny was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers and sisters; her husband, Leo in 2006; and two sons, Patrick in 2004, and Michael in 1989.