Frances M. Zabel's Obituary
Frances M. Zabel, 95, of Bloomington, died peacefully December 29, 2016, at Meadows, IL, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Dementia. Generous, talented, and wicked smart, she lived her life through to the end with humor and courage.
Frances was born Feb 1, 1921, in Glidden, Iowa, the daughter of Rev. Guy J. Fansher and Ella Russell Fansher. She married Raymond Zabel in Red Oak, IA on March 8, 1946. He passed away January 15, 2013.
She attended Cornell College, where she was a percussionist in the Symphony Orchestra. Discouraged from pursuing engineering, she took math and physics courses anyway on the way to a degree in Art in 1942. During the years of WWII, she worked as a draftsman.
Fran and Ray moved to Decatur, Ill in 1951, where they raised two daughters. Fran resumed her career in the mid 1960’s, eventually retiring as an engineer from Caterpillar in 1982. She enjoyed travelling, bridge clubs, piano, gardening, and sewing. She was a long time member of Grace United Methodist Church of Decatur.
She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Zabel, parents; step-mother Lucile Snyder; one brother Russell Fansher; and four sisters Ruth Fansher; Harriet Messer; Evelyn Bredensteiner, and Marilyn Pickens.
Survivors are daughters Ellen (Rex) Moore, Bloomington and Lori (Bill Schenderlein) Zabel, Fort Collins, CO; three grandchildren, Cameron Sweeney, Normal; Devon (Jason) Flammang, Bloomington; and John Schenderlein, Fort Collins; five great-grandchildren and eight nieces and nephews.
A graveside service is planned for 11am Thursday, January 5, 2016 at Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, IL. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in her name to Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community, 24588 Church St, Chenoa, IL 61726 or buy a good book for a child you love.
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