Francel M. Jeffres

Francel M. Jeffres, 92, of St. Paul, died Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at the Good Samaritan Society in Wood River. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Randall L. Dilts will officiate. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery at St. Paul. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Jeffres was born on Sept. 1, 1920, in Grand Island, the daughter of Thorvald “T.W.” and Ruth (Garner) Rasmussen. She was united in marriage to Melvin H. Jeffres, on Nov. 25, 1938, at Oconto. He preceded her in death on Feb. 2, 1987. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Melvin “LeRoy” and Marilyn Jeffres of Sun City, AZ; one daughter and son-in-law, Janice “Jan” and Bob Boehle of St. Libory; and one brother and sister-in-law, Daryl and Pat Rasmussen of Shoreline, WA. She also leaves to cherish her memory 5 grandchildren, Jodeen and Scott Buehler of Vancouver, WA, Teresa and Scott Watters of Winside, Dr. Anne Jeffres and George Senfield of New York, NY, Michael Jeffres of Tacoma, WA, and Jon Boehle and Amy Camp of Wood River; and 9 great-grandchildren, David Buehler; Garrett, Brandon and Anslee Watters; Bryce, Ryan and Bowdyn Boehle; and Peyton and Kiplyn Classen. Francel grew up on a farm north of St. Paul and attended District No. 36 rural school and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1936. She then attended the St. Paul Business College for one year. After she and Melvin were married they farmed north of St. Paul, along Highway 281, for many years. She also worked for Johnson Variety Store in St. Paul for a number of years. Upon their retirement, they spent the winters in Texas for the next ten years. In Sept. 1985, they moved into St. Paul. Over the years, the couple enjoyed camping and fishing at many lakes, dams and ponds . After Melvin's death, Francel became a very avid traveler from one coast to the other. Her travels included the Grand Canyon, Tulip Festival, Corn Palace, Seattle, Europe, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia and many more. She moved to Matelyn Retirement Community in Dec. 2008. As she would always say, “how could life be better – we eat, sleep and play cards”. As years went by if someone would ask her how she was, her comment was always “I'm still kicking, just not as high”. Francel was a member of the United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and several card clubs, including the East and West Club. She enjoyed crocheting, volunteering at the church and hospital thrift shop, playing bingo and cards. But most of all, were the visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Melvin, she was preceded in death by her parents, T.W. And Ruth Rasmussen; brother and sister-in-law, Glenn and Esther Rasmussen; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Alvie and Fern Peterson. Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church or the St. Paul EMT's.