Frances Walz

Frances Marie Walz went to her eternal reward on January 31, 2021, at 94 years of age.

Frances Schaub was born April 4, 1926, in Ipswich. She graduated from Ipswich High School in 1944. After high school, she was selected and attended the Cadet Nursing School in Milwaukee, Wis. When World War II ended, she completed her nursing training in Aberdeen. Harold Walz and Frances married in 1947 and together raised five children. She was employed at the Ipswich Community Hospital from 1957-1963 and started commuting to St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen in 1964. In 1966, the family moved to Aberdeen, where St. Luke's Hospital employed her and her husband. She was a nurse for 30 years in the Maternity-Newborn Department and retired in 1993. In 2012, Frances relocated to Springfield, Mo. to be near family.

Frances understood that life's most significant rewards are reserved for those who bring comfort to the lives of others. She loved Jesus and understood God's priceless importance in her life and believed she could serve Him by serving others. As a nurse, Frances enjoyed caring for patients of all ages, but she especially cherished caring for newborn infants and instructing their young mothers on infant care She fondly watched many of these children as they grew in the community and enjoyed hearing mothers, years later, remember and thank her for being there when their babies were delivered.

Frances inherited a love of nature from her mother and kept her yard full of colorful flowers, trees, and singing birds. She loved her family and filled her home with a calm smile and words of encouragement because she saw the potential and hopeful future of those she loved. Frances had a positive attitude and influenced many. She always had a kind word to share, patience to spare, and repeatedly reminded her children of the importance of a good education. Frances embraced a work ethic of dependability, responsibility, do your personal best, finish what you start, never give up, and take pride in your accomplishments. She knew good things happen if you show up, work hard and keep at it.

After macular degeneration took most of her vision in later years, she enjoyed listening to audiobooks, talking to her many valued friends, and participating in weekly Bible study and rosary groups. She never complained; instead, she was thankful for what little she could see. She taught us that acceptance, not a cure, is sometimes the miracle we should pray for.

Frances is survived by three of her children, Bill Walz of Bradenton, Fla., Nancy (Borden) Thomas of Billings, Mont., and Dr. Bradley (Peggy) Walz of Springfield, Mo .; 10 grandchildren, Chris DeVos and Lisa DeVos; Carmen (Guhin) DiBona and Jeff Guhin; Sarah (Thomas) Schulke and Matt Thomas; Jake, Luke, Nick and Abigail Walz; 16 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren. and her sister Ellen Wethington.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Walz; daughters, Florence Guhin and Patricia DeVos; brothers, Roger, August, Art and Frank Schaub; sisters, Mabel Kub, Florence Krueger and Clarann Schaub; and parents Frank and Anna Schaub.

Private Memorial Mass was held for the family only.