Frances Mary Grebel

Frances Mary Grebel left this world on October 18, 2024 just two weeks shy of her 100th birthday. Born on November 3, 1924 in Long Beach, California, she was the eldest child of Matthew John and Mathilde Catherine Keegan and caring sister to Margaret, John, and Robert. 

Fran was an amazing woman who deftly navigated the academic and business worlds in addition to raising a family of eleven children with grace and strength. 

She was so intelligent, she entered kindergarten at age four where she taught herself to read and ended up graduating from high school at age 16 because of acceleration during her school career. In spite of having to change schools multiple times due to family circumstances, she always excelled in her studies. Until her sight faded in her final year, she would read a book a day on her iPad and kept in touch with family by email and Facetime. Her wonderful sense of curiosity and love of learning were truly an inspiration. 

Growing up during the Great Depression and then World War II, Fran developed an incredible ability to economize while maintaining quality of life. Despite limited funds, the family home was always comfortable, meals were filling, tasty, and included dessert. And oh, how she taught her children to love ice cream! Even in her final days, she managed to enjoy her favorite treat. 

Her work life varied throughout the years and included collecting premiums for an insurance company, being a draftsperson and sales rep for the So. California Gas Company, collating and preparing booklets for Peppard’s Bindery, and bookkeeping for Hamrock, Inc. 

She had a great love of nature with a special fondness for Yosemite National Park where the whole family enjoyed annual summer visits. Appreciation for music was another gift that she shared with her family; the record player or the radio often filled the house with beautiful melodies while she sang along. 

Fran’s strong spiritual faith and devotion to family matched that of her dear husband Kenneth, whom she married in 1949. Their life’s journey together found them living in Lynwood, La Habra, Hemet, and Apple Valley, California until they moved to Prescott, Arizona in 1990. 

Her legacy is one of love and dedication, courage, and hope; she will be greatly missed. 

Frances is survived by her loving children, Thomas Grebel of Santa Ana, CA; Margaret Nagy of Cloverdale, CA; Mary Frances and Bill Trujillo of Rhododendron, OR; Patricia Grebel and Matthew Strong of Stowe, VT; Claire and Ray Noack of Goleta, CA; Loretta and Gary Magnuson of McKinleyville, CA; Kenneth P. and Cherie Grebel of Santa Ana, CA; James Grebel of Prescott Valley, AZ; Stephen and Cynthia Grebel of Bowling Green, KY; and John and Pamela Grebel of Marshall, MN. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Kenneth Grebel, her daughter, Catherine Grebel, and her son-in-law, Robert Nagy. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Joshua, Jacob, Whitnee, Dylan, Joel, Kelsey, Colton, Cicily and Isabelle, and her great grandchildren: Declan, Colin, and Clairabelle.