Helen Susan DeFrance

Helen Susan DeFrance passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Medical City, Plano, Texas after a long bout of heart issues following breaking her hip in October 2017. Helen was born July 7, 1925 in St. Benedict, Iowa, the daughter of John J. and Victoria (Studer) Arend. She received her education at St. Benedict School. Helen was united in marriage to Forrest Lee DeFrance on June 22, 1946 in St. Benedict, Iowa. Forrest passed away at age 54 in Marshalltown, Iowa where Helen worked at Lennox Heating and Air Conditioning as a Forecast Analysis. She moved to Plano, Texas in 1979 when Lennox relocated their Corporate Office there.

Helen was an active member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and lived in her apartment, which was across from the church, for 29 years. She was very active in Does, Garden Club, Big Sisters, Holiday Be Smart, and the Seniors Center where she enjoyed knitting and crocheting baby hats, prayer shawls, and helmet liners for soldiers. She loved to play cards, especially Bridge. Helen enjoyed traveling and had visited the Holy Land, New Zealand, Australia, and Alaska among many other places. She also enjoyed spending time with “the Quads” through the years. Helen was always proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was always happy to talk about them.

Helen is survived by her son, Lon DeFrance of Plano, Texas, his three children: Kelly (Alfred) Wessling of Indiana and their children Noah, Aidan, and Olivia; Kim (Adam) Weitsman of New York and their children Clover, Rae, and Monroe; and Christopher (and fiancée Marissa) of New York; son-in-law James Staloch, his four children: Matt (Darcy)Staloch and their children Mackenzie, Morgan, Luke and Seth; Mark (Courtney) Staloch; Micah (Liv) Staloch; and Ann (Stephen) Fitch, all of Minnesota. She is also survived by former daughter-in-law Joanne DeFrance of Indiana and sister-in-law Marge Arend of Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Forrest on January 16, 1975, one daughter Vicki Staloch, 3 brothers: Edward, Roman, and James, and 7 sisters: Estella Arend, Louisa Preuschl, Wilma Arndorfer, Rita Muller, Norene Erpelding, Rosemary Dangelser, and Ruth Ann Arend.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Krebs Foundation which was founded by Helen’s granddaughter, Kim. This foundation benefits women and children in need.