Frances ‘Fran’ Kresken, 93, Burlington, died Dec. 30, 2011, at Burlington Memorial Hospital. She was born Oct. 26, 1918, in Meredosia, Ill., to the late Arthur and Reva (Hyde) Hancock.
In 1926 the family moved to Burlington where she helped in raising her seven younger siblings. She was a graduate of Burlington High School and went on to graduate from University of Whitewater with a degree in teaching.
On Aug. 2, 1941 in Dubuque, Iowa, she married John B. ‘Jack’ Kresken. He preceded her in death on June 28, 1997.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She loved life and above all, her family. She was most happy when she was with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and treasured the time she shared with them and her husband Jack, of 58 years. She’d plant her garden every year, bake dozens of cookies, loved sewing and reading. She was a lifelong teacher and worked at many schools in the area. She loved all kinds of music and going to concerts with her sisters-in-law and road trips with her daughters. After Jack’s death, she never said no to traveling to Florida or Wyoming to visit her daughters and never missed a family birthday party. Every Christmas holiday and celebration was an occasion she enjoyed to the fullest. She spent countless weekends up north at “Deer Camp” and at the cottage, with her family. She could sit for hours watching the deer, fishing, enjoying nature and spending time with her family. She always made the journey worth taking.
Survivors include her daughters, Judy Hoffman of Pulaski, Jackie (Dr. Lawson) Thompson of Buffalo, Wyo., and Joan Minneti of Daytona Beach, Fla.; sons, John A. (JoAnn), Joe (Kathy) and Mike (Joannie), all of Burlington; 16 grandchildren, Kevin (Lori) Kingsfield, Kathy Dominiczak, David Kingsfield, Lisa (Todd) Miller, Tonia (Jay) Gardner, Jodie (Rob) Cannon, Jeff (Dr. Kris) Minneti, Mike (Lara) Minneti, Barb (Dr. Joe) Krein, John (Ann) Kresken, Joel (Cindy) Kresken, Jason Kresken, Kristin (Shane) Kail, Dr. Matt (Heidi) Kresken, Nick (Crystal) Kresken and Mike (Tonya) Kresken; 31 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Lou Hancock and Margaret Hancock; and brother-in-law, Bob Storm.
She was further preceded in death by brothers, Ted, George, Bill, Nick and Dean, and sisters, Gert Storm and Gwen Gums.
Visitation is Tuesday, Jan. 3, from 3-6:15 p.m., at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory,625 Browns Lake Drive, Burlington. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 7 p.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The Rev. James Volkert will officiate. A private burial will take place in St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery.
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