Frances Swartzendruber Puckle

Frances Swartzendruber Puckle, was born May 17 1935 in upstate New York, she passed away peacefully April 4 in Victorville, Calif. The date, Easter weekend, held special significance for her. Frances spent her early years in Pigeon, Mich., later moving with her family to Upland, Calif. where they became members of Uplands Seventh Street Mennonite Church. Frances attended both high school and college at Upland College, majoring in teaching and music. She graduated earning her degree in 1953 and 1957, respectively. She was an active member in many of the school and church choirs, a ladies trio, and played the violin.

Teaching came naturally to Frances, and she spent more than 35 years as a special education teacher at Fairview State Hospital in Costa Mesa. She also taught courses at the local community colleges before retiring in 1993.

While preparing lessons and grading papers, Frances earned her MS in special education from Cal State Fullerton in 1975, and continued studying and taking classes on various topics of interest throughout her life.

Frances and Robert (Bob) Puckle, whom she wed in 1983, lived in Orange County until they retired to Victorville in the early 1990s. Frances, whose artistic talents included writing poetry, singing, dance, and playing numerous instruments, enjoyed the open spaces and brilliant sunsets of the high desert. She loved animals, especially cats, and had a quick, quirky wit about her.

The Puckles were active members at the Church of the Valley and after Bob’s passing Frances joined The Community Church at Jess Ranch in Apple Valley.

Frances enjoyed making people feel special, by remembering them with cards. The tradition began when she sent an acquaintance from church who had no family a birthday greeting and saw how happy it made her to receive it. She figured: Why not do something so easy that brings so much joy?

Four years ago, Frances moved into Sierra Vista Assisted Living, which she considered home. Frances is survived by her daughter Lisa Neidhardt, son-in-law Ned Neidhardt; her brother Warren Swartzendruber and his wife Jackie; and nephews Ron Swartzendruber, his wife Whitney; and Erik Peter Swartzendruber his partner Angela, their children Skyla and Casey. Extended family members include Karen and Ed Ollila, and their daughters Jennifer, Jessica, and Meagan and her husband Lane Merrifield; and Lois and Larry Allen, and their sons Matthew and Mark.44

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