France was born in Chicago, Illinois to Harland Bert Walker and Dorothy France Noxon. Because of Harland’s job as an insurance salesman, the family relocated several times from LaGrange, Illinois, to New Jersey, Wisconsin and back to Illinois. France’s favorite childhood memories were the time spent playing with her brothers, Scott and Bert, and cousin, Natalie, in Almond Wisconsin and at the family cottage in Waupaca, Wisconsin. She said she lived many places, but Wisconsin always felt like home.
France graduated from Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois, May, 1951. In the fall, she attended classes at the University of Iowa College of Nursing where she met her future husband, C.D. They soon became inseparable, and it became apparent to friends and relatives that they would be together for a long time. The long time turned out to be over 68 years until C.D.’s death in February of this year.
They were married in LaGrange on June 14, 1953, moved to Ft. Worth, Texas, then Roswell, New Mexico where her two children, Linda and Kurt, were born. In 1960, the family of four moved to Kermit, Texas, and France decided to continue her education in Odessa, Texas at Odessa College School of Nursing. She successfully completed the state board of examination, October 8, 1963 and began her career as Registered Nurse at the Winkler County Memorial Hospital in Kermit. Linda and Kurt remember vividly watching her iron her white uniform and starch her rigid nursing cap! She quickly gained respect as being a hard-working and dedicated nurse, and her nursing skills were appreciated by the doctors, patients, and other nurses. After moving to Midland, Texas, France became the Emergency Room head nurse and made many improvements for a more efficient, well-stocked emergency room.
France retired from nursing in 1980 and began another venture - one that would take France and C.D. on adventures across the United States to many cemeteries and courthouses to gather information on the Noxons. After many years, her genealogy venture finally saw the completion of The Noxon Family in North America. This extensive work was published September, 1990 and is extremely popular with the Noxons who purchased this book as they gathered for reunions. It can be found in libraries across the country.
In 1994, France and C. D. followed Linda and family to Houston, Texas and purchased a house across the street. France continued her love of genealogy expanding her search to other sides of the family. France was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Clan MacDougall Society (our Scottish roots) and the Illinois Prairie Pioneers. Knitting and watching TV were probably her two favorite hobbies. Her love for dance began in high school with modern dance, continued in college and then, with C.D., enjoyed many years of square dancing. She had a beautiful smile which would light up her face when she saw her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Following a very short illness, France was called home to heaven in the early hours of Sunday, May 15. We have the assurance of the resurrection and know that we will be reunited someday.
She is survived by her two children, Linda Collins (husband, Rusty), Kurt Stenberg (wife, Donna); grandchildren Tiffany Freeman, Stephen Collins, Laura Morales (husband, Ramon), Eric Stenberg, Elizabeth Finke (husband, Greg), and Dustin Stenberg; great-grandchildren Rory Freeman, Leo Freeman, Kyra Sheeley, Elliott Collins, Casper Finke, Ty Morales, Roger Finke, and Esther Finke.
Pallbearers are Kurt Stenberg, Rusty Collins, Stephen Collins, Eric Stenberg, Dustin Stenberg, Rory Freeman, Leo Freeman, Greg Finke.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Memorial Lutheran Church or Memorial Lutheran school
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Memorial Lutheran Church
Memorial Lutheran school
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