Frances Elizabeth Howard

Frances Elizabeth Howard, age 92, went to her rest on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Norbella Senior Living in Prior Lake, Minnesota. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11:00 AM with a visitation at 10-11:00 AM at Washburn-McReavy Dawn Valley Chapel, 9940 Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, Minnesota. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to livestream the service at the following link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY5MzA2OTczMzI2ODc2NiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== Harold and Irene (Knutson) Peterson welcomed a new baby daughter, Frances Elizabeth, into their family on February 28, 1931. Frances and her three sisters and one brother grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 24th and Franklin. She was part of a large, very close extended family of grandmas, grandpas, uncles, aunties, and cousins. She loved to visit her Grandma and Grandpa Peterson at their home in South Minneapolis. In the summertime, she loved spending time with her sisters and cousins, Ron and Bob, on her Grandma and Grandpa Knutson's farm in Wisconsin. They picked green beans for a penny a row. Frances could be seen hanging upside down from the swing set on many occasions. Frances loved music! Not only did she have a beautiful soprano singing voice, but she became an accomplished pianist and organist. At age 12, she performed a full piano recital, playing multiple classical pieces. At South High, she was selected to be a soloist with the Robert Shaw Chorale. For over sixty years she used her musical talent to enhance worship services. When Frances was 14 years old, she began dating Lee Howard, who had just returned from Europe where he had served in World War II as a Medic. After she graduated from High School, she married Lee on September 19, 1948. They welcomed three daughters, Kathleen, Kimberly and Jennifer, and one son, Gary, into their family. The family lived in St. Paul, on the same block where Lee worked at Howard Monument Company. Frances worked in a clerical capacity at The Minneapolis Institute of Art, for a time. She worked with Charles Schultz of 'Peanuts' fame, as well as with 'the little redheaded girl' featured in his comic strip. When that little redheaded girl married, she borrowed Frances's wedding gown. Frances worked at St. Mary's Hospital in Minneapolis as a Nurse's Aide. Her favorite time at St. Mary's was spent working in Labor and Delivery. She loved caring for mothers and babies. Later in her career, she studied and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked at St. Mary's until her retirement in l996. In 1965, Frances and her family moved from St. Paul to South Minneapolis. She continued to work at the hospital. She played the organ for many years at Southview Seventh Day Adventist Church. Sabbaths were special. She and her family usually spent the afternoons after church with her mother, her siblings and their families. Frances was 100% Norwegian. She was a 'determined' (not stubborn) lady who loved Norwegian cookies. Her four children eventually established families of their own. Frances and Lee traveled to spend time with their children and grandchildren. She was always close to and proud of all of them all. She traveled with Kim and Tom's family on their vacations to Florida, Hawaii and Vancouver Island. Frances and Lee loved to visit the North Shore of Lake Superior, sometimes as a couple, and sometimes with extended family where they would share houses or cabins and enjoy the lake and nature. They were also able to visit Hawaii with Jennifer, which they really enjoyed. On their 40th Wedding Anniversary, they took a Carribean Cruise with Sister Virginia and her husband, Dexter. Whatever body of water she visited, whether Lake Superior or the Ocean, Frances loved to watch the waves crashing on the rocks. Lee passed away from cancer in 1993. Frances eventually moved into a townhouse in Shakopee, Minnesota. She was able to care for Jennifer and Marc's two sons, Chase and Reid, when they were little. She volunteered at Reid's elementary school, in a reading enhancement group. Naturally, Reid called her Grandma. She was tickled when some of the other children called her Grandma, as well. Frances was an exceptional seamstress. She made clothes for her children and grandchildren including some amazing Halloween costumes. She sewed bridal and attendants' dresses for many weddings, including those of her sisters, her brother and her daughters. She loved reading and knitting. Most of all, she loved spending time with family. In 2021, Frances fell and sustained a pelvic fracture. She moved from her home in Shakopee to Norbella Senior Living, an assisted living facility in Prior Lake. This was a dire disappointment to Frances, who was accustomed to having her own home and independence. There was a hard time of adjustment, but eventually, she learned to know and to dearly love her caregivers. And they loved her. They would stop by her room to get some quiet conversation and a smile when they were having a hard day. She enjoyed many visits from her children, grandchildren and siblings. Her smile lit up the room when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren came to see her. Frances was a woman of faith. She loved Jesus. A large picture of Him hung over her bed. She spent time in prayer, reading the Bible and her hymnal, and watching sermons or inspirational programs on television. While she didn't often discuss 'religion' with those she spoke to, she was known as a caring, gentle, loving woman. She was a reflection of Jesus' love. Frances will be forever loved and missed by her daughters, Kathleen McDonald, Kimberly (Tom) Russell, Jennifer (Marc) Ravnholdt; her son Gary; grandchildren, Bethany (Ray) Ranney, Amy (John) Dennehey, Jonathan (Jaclyn) Russell, David (April) Russell, Matthew (Autumn) Russell, Melissa Kolyer, Alexandra Howard, Chase (Abby) Ravnholdt, Reid (Stephanie) Ravnholdt; great-grandchildren, Joseph (Amber) McKay, Morgan and Frankie Ranney, Lylee and Myra Dennehey, Corissa (Stephen) Dillon, Katelyn, Ben, Levi and Lily Kolyer, Lucy, Robbie, William, Caroline, Samuel, Louis and Leland Russell; Siblings Virginia Denniston, Marlys Berg, Don (Karen) Peterson, and many dear nieces and nephews. Previously departed loved ones include her husband, Lee Howard; grandparents; parents, Harold and Irene; son-in-law, Gary McDonald; sister, Lyndel; brothers-in-law, Johnny, Archie and Dexter; sisters-in-law, Ann, Viva, Jane, Elnora; niece, Heidi Sue; nephews Jon and Michael.

Tributes

Frances Elizabeth Howard

February 28, 1931 - August 23, 2023

Tributes

Frances Elizabeth Howard

February 28, 1931 - August 23, 2023

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203