Frances Stauffacher
June 19, 1911 ~ November 12, 2020
Frances Maurice McLaughlin Stauffacher, 109, died on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at The Woodlands at Meth-Wick Community, Cedar Rapids. Private family burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements by Stewart Baxter Funeral and Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.
Frances is survived by her niece, Peggy (Richard) Horner, Bristol, Virginia; nephews; John (Trish Wasek) McLaughlin, Swisher, Iowa, Tom (Debbie) McLaughlin, Middleburg, Virginia, Kinny (Jane) McLaughlin, Ft. Worth, Texas, Jim (Vincent Bechler) McLaughlin, Honey Brook, Pennsylvania; Fred (Laura) McLaughlin, Nashville, Tennessee, George (Linda) McLaughlin, Franklin, Tennessee; and nine great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George; brothers, Thomas E. McLaughlin and John W McLaughlin; a nephew, Peter W. McLaughlin; sisters-in-law, Mary McLaughlin and Margaret McLaughlin.
Frances was born June 19, 1911, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of John Francis and Mabel Real McLaughlin. She married George R. Stauffacher on June 27, 1947, at Scott Field Air Force Base, Illinois. He died on March 6, 1998.
Frances graduated from Mt. Mercy Junior College (in its second class) in 1931, and from Coe College in 1933. She was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority, Daughters of the American Revolution, and LU chapter of Philanthropic Educational Organization.
Frances was an American Red Cross Recreation Worker during World War II, April 1943 ' October 1946 at Station Hospital, Scott Field Air Force Base, Illinois, and at Mayo General Hospital, Galesburg, Illinois.
During her marriage Frances worked on the Eldora, Iowa, Twin-Weekly newspapers, published by her husband George.
On retirement, Frances and George moved to Florida, where they lived, traveling often, before moving back to Iowa. They joined the Meth-Wick Community in 1990.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Patrick's Catholic Church or the Meth-Wick Community.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at The Woodlands at Meth-Wick for their compassionate care the last eight years.
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My sincere sympathies on the loss of dear Fran. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her many friends at MethWick. Blessed be her memory – Rhonda Halbrooks MethWick Wellness and Recreation
To Frances’ family. I am sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of meeting Frances on her 108th birthday.
My sincere sympathy to all of Frannie’s extended family. I became privileged to know Frannie when my parents were residents of Greenwood Terrace for many years. In addition to her being my mother, Elizabeth Funkey Sovern’s good friend, she was also a close friend to two of my aunts, Dode Funkey Lyman and Lucille Funkey Johnson. All three of them felt so blessed to know Fran! She was truly one of the most delightful women I have ever been privileged to know! She will be such an asset to Heaven! God’s Blessings, Frannie! Gwen Sovern Colfer
SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT FRANCES, I WORK IN LAUNDRY AND DELIVERED HER CLOTHES EVENINGS. SHE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE AND HAND SHAKE FOR ME. I WILL SURLEY MISS HER. CATHY PETERS
Frances was a loyal Mount Mercy alumna and regularly attended Homecoming – including her reunion at the age of 100! I thoroughly enjoyed visiting her at Meth-Wick until COVID made phone calls the only option. Check out some of my favorite Frances stories in this link to her Mount Mercy alumni profile:
https://mountmercy.planmylegacy.org/supporters-like-you/come-a-long-way
To Frances’s family I extend my sincere condolences. Frances lived a long life and was fortunate to have you by her side after her beloved George died. I remember meeting this adorable couple in 1989 when I started working in the Coe College alumni office. I looked forward to their many visits to my office. Each time I learned more about the college and how it impacted their lives as Coe alumni. I still remember Frances driving to campus in her 90s. She was so full of life. Heaven has welcomed another angel. R.I.P. Frances. 🙏🏻
I have so many happy memories of Fran and enjoyed hearing so many of her interesting stories. Fran certainly had a sense of adventure and made the most out of life. Teresa Dusil
Frances was always one of my favorite people. Her memory was unbelievable. She had a good life. Rest In Peace Frances. Condolences to the family. Linda Stauffacher
Fran was a member of my P.E.O. Chapter and she was such an inspiration to all of us. When I would visit after her stroke she would always send me off with a repeated ‘kick’ with her good leg and say, “Tell them I’m still kicking!”