Frances Ann Krahn

Loved as both Francie and Fran, Frances died after a long illness, which she successfully beat back for decades. Through those years, she drew in equal parts on her sweetness, stubbornness and an indomitable spirit. She was 90.

Francie’s life began on her family’s farm near Birtle, Manitoba. She was one of four siblings, second in birth order and the only girl. Life on the farm was happy, but challenging. Like their neighbours, the Fulton’s farmed in years with too dry weather and the wartime economy of the 1930’s and 1940’s. Electrification of rural Manitoba reached their farm when Francie was 13. When the farm was sold in 1968, it still didn’t have running water. The new owners turned the farmhouse over to agricultural use.

Francie was the Birtle high school’s Valedictorian of 1953. Her parents encouraged all their children to pursue higher education. So, inspired by her aunt’s career as a registered nurse, Francie started nursing school at the Winnipeg General Hospital. She also started introducing herself as “Frances”.

The nursing students lived in the nurses’ residence then. They followed the strict rules of the residence, and wore an array of uniforms. Your cap, sleeves and other uniform features told the world what stage you were at in your training. The student nurses also worked night shift the entire time they were in nursing school.

It was on a rotation at Winnipeg’s Municipal Hospitals, that student nurse Frances met medical student Henry. This was their beginning.

After graduation, Frances worked in a series of jobs, starting in Edmonton. Then, returning to Manitoba, she worked for the Victoria Order of Nurses doing home visits in central Winnipeg.

A 1959 wedding in Birtle, complete with a McLennan Clan bag piper, solemnized what would be the 66 year union of Frances and Henry.

The Krahns soon moved to New York City, so Henry could pursue specialized training. RN Frances worked in ICU, until she entered what was then known as her “confinement”, and first daughter Lois arrived.

The young family returned to Winnipeg in 1964, and briefly landed in Winnipeg’s Wolesley neighbourhood. Around this time, daughter Leona showed up. The family was complete, and they soon moved to their new home in North Kildonan. They settled in on the banks of the Red River for 30 years.

Life fell into a rhythm centered around Henry’s busy medical practice. Frances played an absolutely critical supporting role. She managed the home and family, and also managed Henry’s medical office. They worked hard. In the earlier days, vacation destinations were dictated by the location of major North American Urological meetings. Trips to Israel, Belize, Europe and camping in Nova Scotia in a tent trailer (exotic in its own way) came later.

The empty nesters downsized. Now they had a view of the Assiniboine River to enjoy from their condo windows. Henry retired (the first time) in 2001.

It looked as if many years of visiting friends, bridge, books, golf and summers at Victoria Beach lay ahead.

But when the call came from the Mayo Clinic, Henry answered it. (It literally was a telephone call.) Soon he was on Mayo staff, and Fran (the name she went by now) and Henry were residents of Owatonna, Minnesota. They were also close to their new grandchildren, with Lois and her family nearby. American cousins who had been so far away, were within driving distance.

Henry retired a second time eight years later. It stuck. Fran and Henry left Minnesota winters in their rear view mirror, and set up house in Mesa, Arizona. The next 14 years were full of sun, friends, family, bridge, books, and golf. Summers were still spent at Victoria Beach. Back in Arizona for the winters, Fran was now 40 minutes away from her granddaughters, whose parents’ careers had already landed them in Arizona.

Arizona was nice. But Fran felt an intractable pull of her beloved Canadian Prairie. Fran and Henry returned to Canada for good in 2022. During Covid. Just as winter set in. They settled in a condo at the Canoe Club. Once again, Fran and Henry were on the banks of the Red River.

Life was still busy, just with more outerwear. Leona and her husband and other family and friends were now closer. Time for more bridge, books and the childhood favourite, Scrabble. Plus, the Canoe Club had indoor parking and a dining room if you didn’t want to cook.

The cottage was once again a (relatively) short drive away. Fran was able to spend more than 50 summers at Vicky Beach. (With electricity and running water!)

Fran faced mounting health challenges after the return to Winnipeg. She had two lengthy hospitalizations in her last year. Fran was cared for both times at what is now the Health Sciences Centre. The HSC campus includes what used to be called the Winnipeg General Hospital.

This is where Fran trained in the 1950’s, and she was intrigued to see how nurses work there now. She absolutely loved meeting the University of Manitoba nursing students (who now get to work days).

Laid up, but not one to lie around, Fran still took care of things; like getting water pipes at the cottage drained for the winter, and other household errands. All from her hospital bed. HSC is where she passed away.

Frances is survived by Henry, her husband of 66 years; daughters Lois (Eric Gordon) of Orcas Island, Washington, and Leona (Kevin Patzer) of Winnipeg, granddaughters Christina (Noam Ratcliff) of Brooklyn, New York and Lyra of Tempe, Arizona. Fran is also missed by brothers Robert (Rita) and Glenn (Della) of British Columbia, and a large circle of friends. Fran was predeceased by her parents, younger brother David, who died in their childhood of polio on her sixth birthday, and sisters-in-law Carol and Judy.

The family thanks the Canoe Club staff, the Canadian National Institute of the Blind and the entire team at HSC Unit 4D for everything you did. The family also thanks the friends and family who supported Fran and Henry with hospital visits and other help. Together, you allowed Fran live her best life, until she no longer could. We are grateful to you all.

Our family invites everyone who is able to gather with us for a Memorial Service. It will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, December 12, 2025 at Westwood Community Church (401 Westwood Drive - Winnipeg). The event will also be live streamed. A link will be provided closer to the service date.

Interment will follow at the Victoria Beach cemetery when the warm days return.

Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to honour Frances’ memory by giving to the CNIB, or a charity that is meaningful to you.

May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. - Ancient Gaelic Blessing