Frances L. Tibbits

Frances “Fran” Lorraine Tibbits, 94, Clear Lake, died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, at the Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at Fertile Lutheran Church, 602 W. Washington St., Fertile, Iowa, with Pastor Dave Halverson officiating.  Inurnment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial contributions to Fertile Lutheran Church or Cerro Gordo County 4-H.

Fran was born Jan. 9, 1923, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Mamie (Moe) Skalicky.  She graduated from Mason City High School in 1941.  She met the love of her life, Lawrence Tibbits, at the Park Inn Hotel, in Mason City, and they were married Nov. 11, 1946, in Mason City.  They had three children, Nancy, Judy and Tim.

Fran was a homemaker, enjoying time with her children and neighbor children.  Outside of the house, Lawrence and Fran went to the Surf Ballroom whenever they could and enjoyed playing cards with neighborhood friends.  They loved square dancing with their friends and other popular dances.  At home Fran completed puzzles and crosswords, liked to cook, and was a wonderful seamstress.  She also was involved in 4-H for over 30 years, volunteering as a leader for part of that time.  She always wanted to share pictures and stories of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and new great-great-grandchildren with anyone who walked into her home.  She was a five generation grandmother!

Fran is survived by her three children, Nancy (Mike) Cash, Ventura, Iowa, Judy (Jim) Levad, Forest City, Iowa and Tim (Candy) Tibbits, New Virginia, Iowa; grandchildren, Todd (Jennifer) Cash, Ryan (Shana) Cash, Megan (Paul Beisner) Levad, Jason (Brooke) Tibbits, Logan Tibbits and Tyler (Elena) Levad; great-grandchildren, Katie (Dan) Behr, Madalynn Cash, Garret Cash, Sofia Levad, Mara Cash and Tallulah Tibbits; great-great-grandchildren, Abel and Lyla Behr;  sister, June Hanna, Clear Lake; sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty Lane, June Fredrickson, Marlys Pederson, Marlene Jenkins, Gladys Krahenbuhl, Ed Davies, and Wally Davies; and many nieces and nephews.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mamie Skalicky; husband, Lawrence Tibbits; brothers, Floyd Skalicky and Harold Skalicky; sisters, Marjorie Kaufman and Dorothy Cary.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.