Frances Schaffner 07/16/2015

Frances Jo Croes Lalley Schaffner, 74, of River Falls, passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 16, 2015. She put on her walking shoes and made the journey home with her Lord and Savior.  Frannie was born on July 27, 1940 to Joseph and Emily Croes in Spring Valley, Wisconsin. She grew up and graduated High School in 1957. She was the middle child of five. Fran then moved to St. Paul, Minnesota where she met and married Donald Lalley in1962. Fran and Don began their lives together and had a large family of 6 children Joseph, Patrick, Michael, Marianne, Mary, and Leo Christopher.  Things did not go as planned and Fran had to raise her children alone. This was a very hard and bumpy road and life was not easy. She would sometimes work 2 or 3 jobs to provide. But Fran being who she was, thrived under pressure and conquered. She embraced her Lord and held on tight and could always find the humor in everything. You would always see a smile on her face.  Fran then moved her growing children to the countryside of Elmwood, Wisconsin in 1976 where she married Richard Schaffner in 1978. Fran farmed the land until she moved to River Falls Wisconsin with her children in 1983 living there for the remainder of her life.  Frances was a child of God and served her Lord well. She had a gentle soul and reached her hand out to anyone in need. She enjoyed her church, volunteer work, cooking, dancing, reading, embroidery, playing cards, visiting, her children and grandchildren.  Fran is proceeded in death by her parents, sister Judy, daughter Marianne in 1968 and son Michael in 2015. She is survived by her brother Don Croes (Arlene) of River Falls, Wisconsin, brother Steve Croes of Montana, sister Mary Kay Schaffner (James) of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, her children Joe of Hamel, Minnesota, Pat (Wendy) of Hammond, Wisconsin, Mary (Ron) Brown of Twentynine Palms, California and Leo (Cristina) of Ellsworth Wisconsin. Her 8 grandchildren Kendrick, Garrett (Kendra), Shontae, Sadie, Rena, Ryan, Arianna, and Caden, and 1 great-grandchildren Ronaldo aka Rey, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.  A Memorial Service was held on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 7 pm at the Bakken-Young Funeral Home 805 E Division Street River Falls, WI.  Visitation was also Monday from 5-7 pm at the funeral home.  Interment will be at a later date.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services of River Falls.