Fran Redinger

Fran Redinger Frances Wilmeth Redinger died of cancer on May 9, 2013, in Santa Fe, N.M. She was 90 years old. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild, daughter Marie Bass and her husband Nathan Aronson of Santa Fe, son J.O. Bass III and his wife Mary of Olton, and daughter Betty Ann Kane and her husband Kevin Kane of Denver, Colo. Her grandchildren are Timothy Parish Carey and his wife Jennifer Nieto Carey of Washington, D.C., and their son Jack David; Katherine Marie Kane of Denver; James Franklin Bass of Olton; and Michael Timothy Kane of Denver. She is also survived by her brother Weldon Wilmeth and his wife Jessica of Granbury, Texas, as well as beloved cousins, nieces and nephews and her special friend and "soul mate" of 10 years, Efrain Prieto of Santa Fe. Fran was born on Nov. 7, 1922, and grew up one of five children in Plainview, graduating from high school and attending Wayland Baptist College. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from McMurry College in Abilene, Texas, she taught fourth grade in Plainview public schools. She was married to the late J.O. Bass Jr. of Plainview, the father of her three children, and later to the late George Redinger of Olton, the father of Arthur Nicholas and Georgeanne, who also survive her. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia Dare Haught and Betty Jo Upshaw, and one brother, Jimmy Carroll Wilmeth. In Plainview and Olton, Fran was involved in numerous community activities related to the arts, education, agriculture, her church and her children's lives. She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood for almost 60 years and a partner in her husbands' farming enterprises. In the 1970s, she was a co-founder of the Olton MiniMall and owner of the Garden Tea Room. She also served as manager of the Olton Chamber of Commerce and was named Woman of the Year in 1977. After she was widowed in 1982, Fran spent two years in Washington, D.C., and Austin, and then she moved to New Mexico. She lived in Albuquerque for seven years where she served as associate hospital chaplain at University Hospital. Later she established the chaplaincy service at Lincoln County Medical Center in Ruidoso where she resided until moving to Santa Fe in 2007. Fran's love of life, happy times and travels with her children and grandchildren, and the enjoyment of her many friends were legendary. She was an avid reader, bridge player, writer of witty verse, collector of art and antiques, philanthropist (usually anonymous), and storyteller (some true, many invented). Fran's devotion to education and the arts prevailed until her death. She was a longtime board member of the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts in Alto, N.M., and remained active until her passing. She also served on the board of trustees of Eastern New Mexico University Foundation and formerly on the boards of Presbyterian Hospital Foundation of New Mexico and the Santa Fe Opera Guild. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Olton on Saturday, May 25, at 2 p.m. officiated by the Rev. Larry Holder. Interment of her ashes will follow at Plainview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Fran's memory to First United Methodist Church, 312 Third St., Olton, TX 79064.