Frances Eleanor Haskell

Frances ("Frankie") Eleanor Haskell, 92, peacefully departed this world to join her Savior on January 13 at the Seven Sisters Living Center in Hot Springs, SD. Services will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 10:00 am, at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Hot Springs, with a luncheon to follow.

Frances was born to Leon D. Williams and Madge M. Morgariedge Williams on May 28, 1933 in Hot Springs, SD. She grew up on a cattle ranch east of Buffalo Gap, where she developed a deep love for animals and prairie life. She graduated from Buffalo Gap High School in 1951.

On January 5, 1953, she married Ira L. Thurston in Buffalo Gap, where they settled and raised their family. She enjoyed being involved in the community and was an active member of the Buffalo Gap Episcopal Church and the Firemen's Auxiliary.

On October 1, 1976, she married Charles S. Haskell in Hot Springs, SD, where they happily made their home. Over the years, she was employed by the SD State Veteran's Home, Castle Manor Nursing Home, Comfort Inn and the Hot Springs Public Library.

Frances was an animal lover who greatly enjoyed the company of her beloved cats. She had a lifelong love of music, playing the piano and accordion and singing. She made sure her home was filled with music, inspiring her children to later become musicians. In addition, she was a talented artist who created numerous oil, pastel and watercolor paintings. She also designed many beautiful jewelry pieces, which she enjoyed gifting to her family and friends.

For the past ten years, her home has been the Seven Sisters Living Center in Hot Springs, where she was beloved by the staff. She never lost her sense of humor, always having a clever response to any question asked of her.

Frances is survived by four children: Debera (Marvin) Philips, Marysville, CA, Linda (Tom) Cummings, Hot Springs, Richard Thurston, Clinton MN, and Dennis Thurston (Bonnie), Wilmar, MN, seven grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and one sister, Janis Schnose, Buffalo Gap, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, parents and two sisters: Ila White and Viola Bondurant, both of Buffalo Gap.

Memorial contributions in Frankie's name may be sent to the Battle Mountain Humane Society of Hot Springs.