Fern L. Defrance

Fern Lucelle DeFrance, 97, of Marshalltown, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at Grandview Heights Nursing and Rehab.Graveside services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 3, 2012 at the Turner Cemetery. Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. with a breif service at 6:15 p.m.Thursday, February 2, 2012,at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to the family. For condolences or questions, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Fern and her family.Fern Lucelle DeFrance was born on November 17, 1914 in Toledo, Iowa; she was the daughter of Ray and Ruth (Hofer) Lowry. Fern attended school in the Green Mountain School District graduating with the class of 1932. On August 29, 1933 Fern was united in marriage to Arthur DeFrance at the courthouse in Eldora, Iowa. Fern and Art had farmed in Garwin until 1950, and then farmed in rural Toledo area until retiring to Marshalltown in 1988. Fern had been a child care provider from the mid-60s thru the 80's; she had been a member of the Turner Cemetery Society, Carlton Brethren Church and the Farm Bureau. She enjoyed attending her grandkids sports and other activities, especially following her sons, grandkids and great-grandkids go-kart and stock car racing. Fern was a great cook, she raised chickens, loved her rock and flower gardens and had a green thumb, but most of all she loved her family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Left to cherish her memory are her children: Barbara Murty of Chelsea, Iowa, Dale DeFrance of Marshalltown, Iowa, Larry (Betty Long) DeFrance of Marshalltown, Iowa and Deb Anderson of Marshalltown; 17 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and 31 great-great-grandchildren.In heaven Fern will be reunited with her husband Arthur, brother Forrest Lowry, son-in-law; Dennis Murty, daughter-in-law Ivey DeFrance, granddaughters Darla Murty and Linda DeFrance, and great-granddaughter Shelly Culbertson-Thomlazin.