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Frances Jane Fears (Fran) passed away on December 7, 2018 at Paramount Court in Turlock, CA. The third of six children, she was born May 24, 1938 in Wishek, North Dakota to John and Bertha Wallenten. The family moved to Richmond, CA in 1943, where her father worked in the shipyards. She went to school (K-12th grade) in Richmond and graduated from Richmond Union High school in 1956. Frances married the love of her life, Leonard Darius Fears, on November 7, 1958 at Clinton Avenue Baptist Church in Richmond, CA. They moved to the Bay Area where they raised their three children, Leland Dale, Debra Louise and Kirby Eugene. Frances worked as an Office Manager and Bookkeeper for Brogden Brothers Construction and Bay-Air Air Conditioning Company. In 2000, they retired to Pine Mountain Lake in Groveland, CA. After 42 years of marriage, Leonard became ill with pancreatic cancer and passed away on December 17, 2000. The next summer, looking for some adventure and to make new friends, Frances participated in the Twain Harte Sonora Pass Wagon train. Frances loved to travel and, over the next several years, traveled extensively with her sisters and friend from Pine Mt. Lake. While in the Bay Area, Frances and Leonard were members of the First Baptist Church of El Sobrante, Pacheco Baptist Church in Martinez and, after moving to Groveland, the Big Oak Flat Baptist Church. Frances often served as Treasurer and Leonard had a beautiful voice and sang in the choir. Frances loved to attend the theater with her sisters. She was an avid reader (reading 3 or 4 books at a time) and loved the outdoors; you could often find her outside rather than in the house. She adored Yosemite and decorated her home with Ansell Adams photographs. While in Pine Mountain Lake, she became a quilter and was a member of the Quilt Guild. She was also involved with the senior lunch program, providing senior meals and Meals on Wheels to the residents of the area. He moved to Turlock in 2010 to be closer to her family. In keeping with her desire to help others, she volunteered at the public library and the Gallo Art Gallery. Frances loved her family and is survived by her three children: Leland (Mary) Fears, Debra (Richard) Lester and Kirby (Jackie) Fears; her grandchildren: Eric (Brandon) Breeman, Ashley (Roger) Perry, Amanda (Dustin) Fears, Wesley (Melisa) Brandau and Kyle Fears-Pierzina; her great-grandchildren: Maci Brandau and Devin Calavan; and her sisters and brother: Marlyn Kauk, Mavis Magstadt, Harlyn Wallenten, Vivian (George) Rose and Joyce Floyd. Recognition should be made to her daughter, Debe, for her devotion to her mother during her illness. We would also like to recognize Sherrie and DeeDee (home-caregivers), Paramount Court Memory Care Unit and Covenant Care Hospice, who all were very caring and kind to her. A special thanks to her son-in-law, Richard Lester and grandson, Kyle, for holding her hand and being there for Frances during her illness. A memorial service will be held for Fran at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at the Lifegate Freewill Baptist Church, 2217 Geer Rd, Turlock, CA 95382. After the service, please feel free to join the family for a reception in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Fran’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.act.alz.org or to the Dementia Society of America at www.dementiasociety.org.

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Frances Jane Fears

May 24, 1938 - December 7, 2018