Frances L. DeYoung
December 6, 1921 – March 13, 2023
A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. Friends may call on the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 a.m. Fran will be laid to rest next to Harold at Mt. Ever Rest Memorial Park, North. Memorial contributions may be given to Centrica Care Navigators or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Age 101, passed away Monday evening, March 13, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Fran was born in Kalamazoo on December 6, 1921, the daughter of Werner and Jessie (Cole) Olson. On May 15, 1941, she married Harold DeYoung, the love of her life, who preceded her in death on October 12, 1998, after 57 years of marriage. Fran was the consumate home maker. She loved cooking, baking and doing things for and with her family. Her home always had an ample supply of food. Before she became ill just days ago, she baked a pie. She loved gardening and was a member of Shula Vista Garden Club. She was always a positive person, a trait to which she attributed her long life. Fran had a heart of love and loved everyone. She always had room for one more relationship in her life. She never had an ill word for anyone, in fact she had a way of turning negative topics off in conversation. She just wanted everyone to be happy and healthy. As a friend hers recently said, she was truly an angel on this earth. Fran is survived by her sons, Dave (Joan) DeYoung of Kalamazoo, Doug (Dianne) DeYoung of Plainwell, Jim (Debbie) DeYoung of Otsego; grandchildren, Dan (Lisa) DeYoung, Amy (Dave Lockwood) DeYoung, Jason (Kendra) DeYoung, Julie (Beau) Taylor, Jimmy (Melissa) DeYoung, Jenny DeYoung, Mark (Rochelle) Howard; 15 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; sister, Rena Gates; several nieces and nephews; and countless people whose lives she touched in her long life. Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents; a sister; and two brothers.
Aunt Fran…how I will miss your unconditional love, welcoming heart and beautiful smile. You will forever be in my heart.
I am so sorry to hear about Fran. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Dave, Doug, Jim and families – please accept our deepest sympathy in your loss of your mother. I have very fond memories of my time spent with her many years ago.
Forever in our hearts
We were very sorry to hear about Fran’s passing. Unfortunately, we did not hear about her passing until after the funeral service. Fran was a wonderful, life-long friend to our mother, Dona Johnson. We imagine they are talking up a storm in Heaven now. My brother Larry and I have fond memories of spending time at Harold and Fran’s home and playing with Dave, Doug and Jim when we were little kids. Our condolences to Fran’s extended family.