Francine Marie Kylen

Francine "Fran" Marie (Quinn) Kylen, age 91, passed away the morning of Saturday, March 28, 2026, surrounded by her children.

Fran was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 11,1934, the second daughter to Frank and Veronica Quinn. She grew up in Evansville, Indiana, eventually moving to Illinois. She was married to Steve Kylen (deceased August 2018) on October 15, 1955, and settled in Morton Grove, Illinois.

Eventually, Fran and Steve moved to Des Plaines, IL, where she was a stay-at-home mom and later went to work for her father as his showroom manager for Waterford Crystal at the Merchandise Mart. In 1977, they relocated to Plover and Fran began work at Sentry Insurance. In the late 1980's Steve and Fran relocated to Ashville, NC, then Myrtle Beach, SC, and finally settling in Frederick, MD. Being self proclaimed history buffs, they were sure to take advantage of visiting all the historical sites that the Washington, D.C. area had to offer while they lived in Maryland; the Smithsonian, the old battlefields, the restaurants, and more! During those times, Fran was an office manager in varying degrees. Upon Steve's retirement, they chose to return to Stevens Point where they enjoyed retirement together. They enjoyed mini-vacations focusing around the best restaurants they could find.

Fran was a seamstress in her early years, making clothes for her family. She also became very active in the Boy Scouts, becoming one of the first female Scout Masters in the early 1970's in the Chicagoland area. After moving to Plover, she and Steve became members of the Circle 8 Square Dance club, which they both thoroughly enjoyed. Fran also spent countles hours making cross stitch and crotchet creations. She also spent hours building jigsaw puzzles and reading. She was an avid reader, with mystery being her favorite genre, and recently began receiving books by mail from the library. It was a good thing she usually received two library packages at a time, because she often finished a book each day!

After Steve's death, Fran lived on her own for 7 years until she moved into Dimensions Living of Stevens Point, where she found her new home, often calling it her happy place.

Fran is survived by her children, Mary Ellen Higgins of Eveleth, MN, John Carl (Lynda Depriest Adwell) Kylen of Louisburg, KS, and Margaret "Peggy" (David) Hanson; grandchildren, Phillip, Jason, and Ian (Kahlie) Higgins, James Carl Gustav, Michelle, Patricia, Stefanie, and John-Michael Kylen, and Nicholas (Lacey), Austin, and Amanda (John Napiwocki) Hanson; 10 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter. She is further survived by a sister, Mary-Margaret Cockrum of Houston, TX.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Veronica; her husband, Steve; her son, James Michael Kylen; a sister, Suzanne Quinn Jolie; and a brother, Michael Quinn.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Dimensions Living who knew "Miss Martini" was quick witted and loved to keep you on your toes! We are so grateful that Fran was happy, felt safe and cared for under your watch. Another thank you to Aspirus Hospital for getting her stabilized in her last week, to Aspirus Hospice for the peace during that last week, and to the dear friends that stopped in to see her.

For those wishing to express their sympathies, the family kindly suggests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Fran's honor to a charity of your choice, or to one of the organizations that Fran was proud to support for many years: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Shriners Children's Hospital, and PBS.

Per Fran's wishes, private services will be held for immediate family with internment to take place at Guardian Angel Cemetery in Stevens Point, WI.

As Fran would say, "Good night, God bless, I love you."