Frances Niesen

Frances (Fran) Niesen On September 7, 2008 Fran Niesen passed away at the Clare Bridge memory care facility in Olympia, WA. Fran was born Frances Ann Zlock on May 29, 1920 to Louis Zlock and Anna (Klecak) Zlock in Aberdeen, WA. Later, the Zlock family moved to Spanaway, WA, and Fran and her younger brother Frank attended elementary school at Kapowsin. She attended Lincoln High School and graduated with the class of 1938. Shortly after graduation, Fran met her future husband, Russell W. Niesen, who worked in a furniture store and played as an outfielder for a Tacoma city league baseball team. They were married on November 14, 1941 in Parkland, WA. They had two children, James Russell and Kathleen Ann. In 1947 the Niesen family moved to Morton, WA, and Russ worked there as a Shell Oil distributor for 35 years. Fran never worked outside the home, devoting herself to the care of her family. Fran and Russ loved fishing, camping, and trips to Reno and Lake Tahoe. After Russ retired, they enjoyed cruises to Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. Fran was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Frank, and her husband Russ. Fran is survived by her son Jim and his wife Rita of Olympia and their daughter Jenny and son Kerry, both of Seattle; daughter Kathy McMahan and husband Ed of Minden, NV, and their son Brent, his wife Simone, and their daughters Riley and Sydney of Anchorage, AK. Her sister-in-law Shirley Zlock of Spanaway and three nieces and two nephews also survive. Services will be held Sept. 24, 2008 at 1pm at Fir Lane.