Frances M. Wirth, 90

Blue Earth – Frances May Wirth passed peacefully in her sleep on Dec. 31, 2022, at Parker Oaks Assisted Living in Winnebago. She was 90 years old. A memorial service was held Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, 11 a.m. at Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth Rev. Dr. Jeanette Bidne officiated. Visitation was one hour before the service. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery at a later date.

Fran was a resident of Blue Earth since 1965, when she and her husband Alan moved up from Iowa to start a water business. On June 2, 1950, Fran married her high school sweetheart Alan Wirth and enjoyed a happy, fruitful life together for 65 years until Alan preceded her in death in 2016.

Frances was born in Westfield, Iowa and grew up a native Iowan – high school softball catcher, basketball player, glee club and farm girl. She loved to grow flowers in her garden and watch the birds visit the back yard. Fran had a very creative spirit and loved to design and sew soft sculptures – hundreds of her creations still reside in the homes of friends and family.

Frances was a great mom, gramma, and great grandmother – children loved her. She loved to host holidays, any excuse for a family special event and Bridge Club. Her legendary Annual Game Feeds were a yearly favorite for many – it’s been said by numerous dinner guests, “That’s the best fish and wild game we’ve ever eaten!” People were always welcome at Fran and Al’s.

Fran and Al loved to golf and enjoyed planning and attending clubhouse events at Riverside Town and Country Club with their many friends. Their relationship with friends lasted a lifetime – wintering together in Texas and enjoying time together in their later years.

In her final years, ravaged by dementia and living in memory care, the caretakers all commented about how sweet and loving she was – and, how feisty she was at bath time. In her high school yearbook, classmates said this about Frances (Lias) Wirth, “Quiet and never causes trouble.” She succeeded in living a quiet loving life surrounded by family and friends – and was only trouble if you were trying to beat her at Bridge.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Alan; daughter, Gaye (Wirth) Nesbit; and son-in-law, Ronald Nesbit; Fran’s sister, Helen; and brothers, Bud and Norman.

Frances is survived by sons, Matthew (Sharon) Wirth, of Winnebago, Brett (Lisa) Wirth, of Blue Earth, and their children, Serina, Bryce, and Sara. She is also survived by Gaye and Ron’s children, Daniel (Jamie) Nesbit, of Lake City, and their children, Brittney and Avery; Alicia (Brent) Murphy, of Verona Township, and their children, Zachary and Nathan; and Michael (Onna) Nesbit, of Rochester. Fran has one living brother, Donald (Mary) Lias, of Jefferson City, South Dakota.