Frances M. Happs

Funeral Services for Frances M. Happs will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stamford, Nebraska, with Pastor Thalia Woodworth and Pastor Dave Irwin officiating. Interment will be held in the Orleans Cemetery following services.

Frances Mae Happs, 82, of Orleans, Nebraska, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 17, 2014 at the Harlan County Health Systems in Alma. She was born March 19, 1932 in Hastings, Minnesota, the youngest of three children born to Richard C. and Myrtle (Radke) Lohmann. Frances graduated from Hastings High School, in Hastings, Minnesota, with the class of 1950.

On November 18, 1950 Frances was united in marriage to Charles "Red" Happs of Knoxville, Illinois at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hastings, MN. With Red working for the railroad, they made their home in Lincoln, Seneca, and Alliance, Nebraska and Sheridan, Wyoming, before settling in Orleans, Nebraska in 1956.

Frances worked for the Orleans Equity Creamery until it closed. She then began working for Becton-Dickinson for approximately 23 years until she retired on July 1, 1990. Frances also worked as an Avon Representative for a number of years.

Through the years, Frances was a very active member at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stamford, Nebraska and with the American Legion Auxiliary. She served on the board of the Good Samaritan Society Colonial Villa - Nursing Home in Alma, Nebraska, worked as an Election Judge in Orleans for many years and was a member of the retired BD employees. She always enjoyed selling tickets at the Harlan County Fair. Frances generously donated to local organizations, including the Orleans Fire and Rescue, the Alma Senior Center, the Alma Hospital, the Good Samaritan Society Colonial Villa - Nursing Home, the Boys and Girls State recipients and gave several college scholarships per year, to local High School Seniors.

Frances enjoyed spending time with everyone especially her nieces and nephews, other relatives and her many friends. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling, especially going on cruises and bus tour trips. Through the last years, her dog, Curly provided much joy and companionship.

Besides her parents, Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Charles "Red"; two brothers: Richard "Nails" Lohmann in 2003 and one in infancy; brother-in-law, Donald Happs and his wife, Shurlene; and sister-in-law, Barbara Varnold.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Elenore Lohmann of Hastings, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Wayne Happs of Centennial, Colorado; six nieces: Laurie (Clifford) Bill of Hastings, Minnesota, Kim Lohmann of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Deanna (Richard) Peterson of North St. Paul, Minnesota, Mitzie (Fred) Neugebauer of Gillette, Wyoming, Melanie Happs of Rapid City, South Dakota and Susan (Pat) Randall of Oregon; three nephews: David Lohmann (Janis Benell), Brent (Mary) Lohmann and Bruce (Milinda) Lohmann all of Hastings, Minnesota; many great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and very special friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 24, 2014 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. with family greeting from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans, Nebraska.

A memorial has been established in Frances' honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans is in charge of the arrangements.