Frances Jean Wheeler

Frances Jean (Zawada) Wheeler 86 passed away October 5th at home, surrounded by family who cared for her during her five months suffering with an aggressive adenocarcinoma pancreatic cancer.
Frances came into this world during a snowstorm on January 23, 1939, to Parents Joseph and Teophilia (Hahn) Zawada of Schaffer Michigan. As a farmer's daughter, she had all the rural experiences growing up near the Soo Line tracks. At a young age, she drove her father's first tractor, a Model B John Deere home from Cornell Michigan, (with dad close behind). Frances helped with her mother's garden, selling to A&P grocery store, babysitting for Attorney McGinn family in Escanaba, all while maintaining good grades in school. When her WWII Pilot Uncle Johnny came home from the war, at the age of 12 she frequently rode on the back of his motorcycle to the Escanaba airport to fly a Piper Cub with him until, realizing the dangers of flying. Frances attended Schaffer Grade School and graduated with the 1957 class of Bark River High.
One evening, she and friends Deloris Lefave and Rosie Pach went to the Hunters Ball at the VFW in Bark River, where she met Francis, a tall dark Frenchman wearing a White Cowboy hat. When asked why she noticed the cowboy hat, her answer (didn't know better). She loved Francis and would drive her father's 48 Buick to Powers Michigan to date him, such a lovely couple they were. On July 6th, 1957, she and Francis were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Schaffer Michigan and shortly thereafter moved to Manitowoc. A hard worker, she was employed at Aluminum Specialty, Kaysun Plastics, retiring from Atkin and Reed while raising the family. We knew Mom as an independent little lady who got her first JC Penny Credit card, buying things the family needed without Dad's approval. She often surprised us at how fast she could drive without getting a ticket, disliked slowpokes and while picking out her last car, preferred it red, peppy and dual exhaust.
Frances was married to a handyman but if repairs didn't get done timely, she threatened to call a professional who would, a strategy that others could not duplicate. When things were seen her way, she was always willing to help him by (quietly) holding a flashlight as if looking through his eyes and handing tools.
Frances was a caregiver, as a young Mother she cared for other children in addition to her own. She cared for her mother, husband, grandchildren and pets sent to grandma camp for spoiling. Family will always miss her homemade oatmeal cookies and buns. Neighbors will remember her waking up early blowing snow to make early morning Mass and the meticulous lawn she kept with her John Deere tractor.
She was a very devout Catholic. As a member of St. Francis of Assisi Grand, served countless hours at the Waldo Adoration Chapel and member of the SFA Divine Will Study Group reading the Book of Heaven and local Marian Movement of Priests prayer cenacle
Frances is survived by her children: Janice (Bob) Bauer, David (Susan) Wheeler, Kathy (Bill) Miller and Julie (Chuck) Bornemann, a brother Dennis (Maxine) Zawada, Patricia Zawada, ten grandchildren; Edward, Megan, Greg, Hannah, Clare Bauer, Nathan, Andrew, Aubrie Miller, CJ., Alex Bornemann and seven great-grandchildren (two of which she has only known in the womb) and dear nieces and nephews. Also surviving are the many St. Francis Assisi prayer group friends, who accompanied her with many prayers on her journey. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Francis, brothers Joseph and Chester Zawada, sister-in-law Pauline Zawada and her great-granddaughter Elizabeth Miller.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at St. Francis of Assisi, 1121 North 14th St, Manitowoc. The Rev. Doug LeCaptain will Celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial with burial to follow in the Calvary Cemetery, Manitowoc. Relatives and friends may call at the Pfeffer Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, at the church, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 12:00 Noon. There will be a Parish Prayer Service held on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home, led by Deacon Al Boeldt.
The family would like to extend appreciation to the care from Dr. Ballard, HFHM Froedtert medical team, Dr. Pant (Prevea), Green Bay Oncology, HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Nurses and Staff, and Unity Hospice that guided us through her journey.
As a family, we were honored to care for you at home, while challenging, we know you did the same to care for your family. You were sent by God to do his work on Earth. We are joyful, knowing you have now returned to Him.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, Frances would appreciate a donation to the new St. Francis of Assisi Grand site "Gathering Center" Prayer Garden in her memory.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com
Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer Funeral Home of Manitowoc is assisting the family with arrangements.
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