Frances M. "Fran" Hanus

1948 - 2026

Milton, WI - Frances M. Hanus, age 78, died Monday, March 23, 2026, surrounded by her husband and children. She was born February 18, 1948, in Chicago, IL, to the late Frank and Dolores (Giannetti) Nomellini. Frances graduated class of 1966 from Mt. Prospect High School, Mt Prospect, IL. On July 9, 1966, she married her love and high school sweetheart, P. Michael Hanus at St. Raymond Catholic Church, Mt Prospect, IL.

If you met Frances, immediately you knew of her love for God and her fierce and inspiring faith. Everyone who met her saw His love and charity. Her kind and generous heart was always welcoming and accepting of others, making friends with strangers, no matter the age, everywhere she went. She was easy to talk to, and you always felt better after your visit with her. Frances truly lived her dream life, being a wife and mother of 15 children (always asking God for just ONE more) and accepting her vocation proudly. It was important to her to homeschool, and she believed the most important part was to guide her children to know Jesus. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always greeting them with big open arms and a kiss. She was everyone's "Grandma Fran" and she was proud of that. She created a multitude of memories; monthly family birthday parties, Sunday pancakes after Mass, yearly vacations up north, and long road trips across the country, especially enjoying trips to AZ to visit her sister and family. She enjoyed theater, movies, reading books, cards, dominoes, and rounding it all out with a cup of hot tea and of course, chocolate!

For many years she held active leader roles in La Leche League, 4-H, Marriage Encounter and Religious Education. She was a long-time member of Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, Janesville.

Frances is survived by her husband of almost 60 years; her loving children: Mike (Julie) Hanus, Paul (Heidi) Hanus, Tony (Sally) Hanus, Becky (Troy) Phillips, John Hanus, Elizabeth (Phil) Bergeron, Bob (Lindsey) Hanus, Jim Hanus, Joe (Elisa) Hanus, Jeannette Schimke, Deborah (Carl) Hahn, Dave Hanus, Katie (Matt) Hanson, and Brianna (Justin) Schwenkner; 64 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; Pappas niece and nephews; and other family. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Dorothy Pappas and Kathleen Nomellini; infant son Brian Hanus; grandson John Hanus, Jr.; son-in-law Tyler Schimke; daughter-in-law Karin Hanus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM at NATIVITY OF MARY PARISH, Janesville. Fr. Vince Racanelli will celebrate, burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the APFEL WOLFE FUNERAL HOME, Janesville and then again on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the hour of Mass at NATIVITY OF MARY PARISH. For online condolences: www.apfelwolfe.com