Francis Ann Weiss Thompson Bobbitt, 92, passed away at the Lake Placid Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Lake Placid, Fla. on Jan. 6, 2010 with her son Keith holding her hand.
Fran was born to Christian and Mary Weiss on June 15, 1917 in Rose Creek, Minn., the 11th of 13 children. Fran was a beautiful child with curly red hair. Fran married Bernard Thompson and they had one son, Keith. They later divorced. Fran later married James Bobbitt and they eventually settled in State Island, N.Y. Together, they had two children, Judith and Frank. Fran and Jim relocated to Red Wing/Prairie Island in November of 1957. In April of 1957 they made their final move to Lorida, Fla. Jim loved the warmth but Fran never stopped missing her family and friends up north.
Fran was a very hard worker and had many jobs. She waitressed in Austin, was a model for magazines, was head server at Wiederholt’s Supper Club for 18 years and worked at Goodwill in Sebring, Fla.
Fran was a beautiful, feisty redhead who enjoed living, had a wonderful sense of humor, saw everyone’s possibilities and deeply loved her family. The people who knew her the last six years call her a blessing. Her family always has.
Her children always considered themselves hugged and loved beyond compare. They miss her.
Fran is survived by her sons, Keith Thompson of Oak Forest, Ill. and Frank (Debra) Bobbitt of Castle Rock, Colo.; daughter, Judith Arnold (Vic) of La Crosse, Wis.; grandsons, Michael Thompson, Brandon Arnold, Kevin Arnold, Joshua Arnold; granddaughters, Kaylene Thompson Pakeer (Tony), Tanya Thompson (Fahad), Carrie Seib (Dan Herber), Stephanie Seib (Eric Larson); seven great-grandchildren, and another due this spring.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Bobbitt in 2001; mother-in-law, Laurine (Tiny) Nance Bobbitt Ellis; father-in-law, Frank Ellis; grandson, Sean Thompson; and her 10 brothers and sisters.
A memorial service will be held this spring in Minnesota.