Rose M. Francis
November 23, 1928 - January 5, 2008

BRITT -- Rose M. Francis, 79, of Britt died Saturday (January 5, 2008) at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt following a short battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Britt with Rev. Robert Dodge and Rev. Jim Allard, Hospice Chaplain, officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 P.M., Monday at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Britt and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or the West Hancock Ambulance Service.

Rose Marie Francis, the daughter of Vincent H. and Ella Murre (Earles) Fillenwarth, was born November 23, 1928 at Britt. She graduated from Britt High School in 1945. On September 8, 1946 she was united in marriage to Duane Francis at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. To this union, four children were born: Connie, Bonnie, Larry and Jerry. Rose and Duane lived in Britt their entire 61 years of married life. She enjoyed visiting with friends, crocheting, camping, bowling and, especially, spending time with her family.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Britt and the Britt American Legion Auxiliary.

Rose is survived by her husband, Duane, of Britt; four children and their families: daughter, Connie (Dorance) Hefte of Cassville, WI and their three children, Kim (Scott) McKnight and their son, Nikolas of North Liberty, Meghan (Chad) Howell and their two sons, Tyler and Alexander of Davenport, and Andrew (Laura) Hefte of Olathe, KS; son, Larry Francis of Britt and his two daughters, Nicole Francis of Marion and Jennifer Francis (Casey Swanson) and their three children, Madison, Dylan and Averie of Marion; daughter, Bonnie (Arlen) Olson of Alexander and their son, Travis Olson of Grimes; son, Jerry (Ronda) Francis of Britt and their three sons, Joshua (RaeLynn) Francis of Britt, Michael (Heather) Francis and their daughter, Brooklyn, of Britt and Daniel Francis of Britt; three sisters, June Hauser, Judy Brunsvold and Fern (August) Schmidt; a brother-in-law, Darrell Francis of Britt; and a sister-in-law, Donna Bunday of Mason City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Vernon and Paul Fillenwarth; an infant grandson, Zackary Olson; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Ralph Hauser, Robert Brunsvold, Frank (Emma) Francis, Irene Francis, Ralph Bunday, Eithel (Henry) Hanson, Geraldine (Russell) Crapser and Betty Jones.

Tributes