Frances Mildred Kuseske

1925 - 2019

Frances Mildred Kuseske

Buffalo - Frances Mildred (Dammann) Kuseske died on Jan. 29, 2019 in Buffalo, MN at the age of 93.

She was born on a farm near Fairhaven, MN on July 30, 1925 the second of four children of Lawrence and Lizzie (Gutknecht) Dammann. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fairhaven. After her 8th grade education in a 1 room school house she became a nanny and housemaid for various families in the area and in Minneapolis, MN.

Frances married Elmer Kuseske at Concordia Fairhaven on May 27, 1944 and they lived on a rented farm north of Kimball, MN. In 1946 their first son, Tom, was born, but in '48 they left farming and operated a small general store in Sedan, MN. While there their 2nd son, Mike, was born in Glenwood in '50. To make ends meet Elmer commuted weekly to St. Cloud to work at Franklin Transformer while Fran managed the store and the boys. In early '52 they moved to a home near Kimball and that fall moved to Austin, MN where Elmer worked as a meat inspector at the Hormel plant. Fran was still busy managing a garden, sewing, and was active in their church, Holy Cross Lutheran. It was at this time that they took in custom upholstery for many local folks. Their upholstery skills, especially Fran's sewing, helped put Tom and Mike through Concordia Academy in St. Paul.

In '69 they moved to Milwaukee where Elmer inspected meat packing facilities and Fran worked as a seamstress at a department store. In '71 they moved to Buffalo, MN where Elmer continued inspecting and Fran worked at Buffalo Cleaners as a seamstress, but soon worked at home sewing for Johnson's Dept store.

Where ever they lived they were always active in their church serving on various boards/committees and helping people in many ways including taking care of children, giving food, and many other "gifts." Fran may have set a world record for the number of quilts made for just about every person west of the Mississippi especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Lenous and Mabel, and Elmer. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Mielke; sons, Thomas (Cherice) of Mora, MN and Michael (Judy) of Royal Palm Beach, FL; 7 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She will be missed by many people, but is now busy tending the Heavenly gardens, helping with the Heavenly banquet, mending the Heavenly garments, and singing in the Heavenly soprano section.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. The funeral will be at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, 302 2nd St Ne, Buffalo, MN on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 3:00 PM with visitation at 2:00.

Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. 763-682-1363. www.thepetersonchapel.com.