Auntie Frannie, I still can't believe your gone. I think about you often and still want to pick up the phone and have one of our long conversations. I miss you very much and love you. Thank you for having been in my life.
Love Peggy

Thank you Auntie Frannie for being there in my life along with Uncle Bill. I will always remember the good times we all spent together and for teaching bob and I what a family was like. You will all always be in my prayers.

Auntie Frannie was the best, I used to love it when Uncle Bill would tease her and she would show him her fist, there was a true love between them.  I know Uncle Bill and Auntie Frannie are together in heaven with Jesus.

I was always remember Auntie Frannie's stories about her life when she was a teenager and how my Mom and her would just start talking and I loved to listen to them. I will miss her so much like my second Mother. My thoughts and prayers to all of us, she was a terrific lady.

Auntie Frannie and Uncle Bill helped raise my brother Jim and I when my Mom her sister Zosha was going through some difficult times. She loved us both with a Mothers love and will always have a special place in my heart and my memories. Thank you for being there in my life.

Auntie Fran was such a loving person. Even when she wasn't feeling well, she always managed a smile and had a contagious laugh. She was a great Godmother to Ken and we will all miss her very much.

Auntie Frannie was a very awesome lady.  I always loved when she and Uncle Bill would get together with my mom and dad.  She and my mom would laugh for hours.  Auntie loved life and she will be greatly missed by all.  I will miss her, but I know mom and her are once again laughing for hours in heaven.  Your family is in my prayers, my deepest sympathy.

My condolences to the family.    She was a gracious lady and a joy to be around. She is remembered fondly. I will keep her in my prayers.

Your family touched my heart for such a short time but those memories are permanent.  Thank you.  Rest in peace.

This candle will be the light I see when I look up to say "Hi".

Auntie Frannie was the world to me. She always had a smile and a " Hi ya, Peggy", when ever I called or visited. Her door was always open to me. She would listen to my troubles and never judge me. She shared in my happiness and held me when I cried. Always first to express her pride in my children, grandchildren and me. Always a good word for everyone she knew. I will miss her " I love you" when we finished our visits. I will miss her in my life with all my heart and soul. Thank you for being there for me. I'll see you in my dreams so we can again talk over each other to get everything said. I love you.

Many people my age either don't have a lot of memories of their Grandparents or they don't seem to spend a lot of time with them. I was lucky enough to have both. Living with Grandma until I was 5, plus spending every summer and weekends throughout the year with them gave me so many experiences. My first memory of her is of her washing my feet in the bathroom sink. I have no idea how old I was, but it had to be pretty young for me to be that small! :) Even though she always seemed to have a lot to do around the house, she found time to play with me (even long games of Monopoly). I learned about gardening, cooking, etc. from watching her. A true housewife if you ever saw one. As I got older she was a great listener to teenage problems, and always seemed to have the right words to say. I don't think I ever saw her get angry. I really think I inherited my even-keel personality from her. She was always willing to try anything. My most favorite recent memories are of taking her to Disney World. What a way to spend your 90th birthday, huh? She was a real hoot to bring along. I will miss her smile and laugh most of all. She went in peace, in no pain, around her children, and you really can't ask for much more than that.

Here is the bio that I can't seem to find on the website. I thought the funeral home did a wonderful job putting this all into words:

“Seeing is believing.”  For many, those words simply represent a motto.  But for Mrs. Frances Kuranda, it summarized in every way who she was.  She was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around her and always thinking before acting.  She was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything she did.  She was a friendly person who truly cared about those around her.

        She was the daughter of Josephine and Frank Andraciewicz.  Raised in Chicago, she was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy.  As a child, she learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual.  These were all traits that she would carry with her throughout her life.

      As a young girl, Frances was always aware of how others around her felt and this quality served her well.  With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Frances was generally able to avoid conflicts.  It seemed as if Frances was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay.  Preferring a quiet environment where she could concentrate, Frances also had the ability to relate well with her family and friends.  Frances was raised with 3 siblings.  She had a brother ,Walter and two sisters; Helen and Sophie.  Frances was constantly involved in activities with her family.  Frances and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up but they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

      Most folks would say that Frances was shy until they got to know her.  Those who were privileged to know her well learned that she was a solid, good friend.  Frances was reluctant to generalize about people, and she based her friendships on her personal experiences.  Because of this, Frances best trusted those people that she truly knew.  She was concerned about how those around her felt, and she always seemed to uncover the positive side of people.  She could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes.  The friends that she made, Frances kept.  Later in life, she became friends with Ron & Dee Bachorski and Helen & Joe Klein.

      Love can’t be defined but must be experienced.  That was so true for Frances.  It was as if Frances naturally sensed her spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally.  Although Frances disliked conflict, she did not take flight from discord, but rather sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times.

      Frances was a good mother to her children.  She had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner.  Because she trusted emotions, Frances was reluctant to force issues and used gentle persuasion to resolve situations.  In this way she seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around her, always thinking before acting.  In addition, Frances was a master planner.  No matter how hectic life around her might be, she seemed to know and track everyone’s schedule.  Frances was blessed with 2 children, Dennis Nawracaj and Diana Sand.  They were also blessed with 1 granddaughter , Danielle Johns and great grandchildren,Ryan & Emily Frances.

      If you gave Frances a deadline, she would meet it.  At work, Frances was always on task.  Without hesitation, Frances could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion.  Her primary occupation was housewife.  She was employed off and on for various jobs when she got bored being a housewife.  During that time, Frances excelled in working with small groups in order to complete assignments.  She was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency.  Frances was good at staying on track and was considerate in listening to what others had to say.  In this way, Frances had a true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems.  She was often the team member who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.

      Frances liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them.  This quality influenced Frances's choice of leisure time activities.  A methodical and patient worker, Frances preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on her hobbies.  Her favorite pursuits were watching soap operas, reading, shopping, crocheting, and crossword puzzles.  Frances was content to sit quietly alone, enjoying her hobbies all by herself and could often be found just reading about her favorite pastimes.

      While thorough and measured in her approach to things, Frances often liked to physically do things rather than just think about them.  She was like that with sports.  Recreational sports included bowling.  She also enjoyed the statistical data and the facts behind the sports.  In this way, she was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite teams whenever she got the opportunity.  Tops on her list were hockey and watching the Chicago White Sox.

      An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, her faith was important to Frances.  Her compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in her personal beliefs.  She was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church for 43 years.

      Anyone who traveled or went on vacation with Frances had smooth sailing.  It was often taken for granted that she was the trip planner.  She would start early and examine all of the possibilities, selecting the best and most effective options.  Favorite vacations included fishing in Minnesota as a family group and Walt Disney World in Florida.

      Frances had Snooky, a Pomeranian, who was her best friend for 15 years.  Her family was rounded out by her 3 cats; Smokey, Hagar and Finnegan.  Frances was as loyal to her pets as they were to her.

        She had taken the time to learn about her various options and chose her course wisely.  Her new life involved relocating to her present home.  In retirement, she found new pleasure in fishing and working outside in her garden planting flowers.  Even in retirement, Frances continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances.  She was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her.

      Frances passed away on April 25, 2010 at  her home from Stomach cancer.  She is survived by her children; Dennis and Diana, grandchild; Danielle and great grandchildren ;Ryan and Emily Frances.  Services were held at St. Matthew Catholic Church.  Frances was laid to rest at Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton.

      It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees.  Frances was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole.  Frances was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of woman to whom everyone was drawn.  She was thorough and practical.  Frances Kuranda was very literal with her words.  You always knew where you stood with Frances.  She will be missed.

Auntie Frannie was such a special person to so many.  She was beautiful, inside and out and I will miss her so much. I loved her laugh, and she laughed a lot. I am thankful for the many memories I have of her.  My condolences to all who love her, especially Danielle, Auntie Cookie and Uncle Denny.  Heaven got a little brighter when this angel arrived.

OBITUARY

Mrs. Frances Kuranda

January 23, 1916 – April 25, 2010

Blake-Lamb Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services