Frances graduated as the Valedictorian of her Murdock High School class in 1941. She attended Nebraska Wesleyan University where she earned her AB degree.
She taught sixth grade at Plattsmouth for two years returning to Wesleyan where she taught Trigonometry.
She was a graduate assistant and instructor at UNL from 1947 to 1951 where she taught Math. She received a Master’s Degree with a math major in 1949. Her teaching career took her to North Platte High School for three years and then back to Lincoln where she taught at Lincoln High School from 1954 till her retirement in 1987. She was the Department chairman from 1964 to 1976. Frances was a pioneer in Distance Learning, teaching Geometry on Public Television in 1959 and 1960.
She belonged to many honorary and educational groups including Delta Kappa Gamma, the American Association of University Women, the Nebraska State Education Associates, National Education Association, National Council of Teachers of Math and Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Mu Epsilon and Pi Gamma Mu.
Frances kept a book containing the names of every student in her classes. It contained their progress, her personal evaluation of each one and what she learned concerning their success in life. Perhaps it will be a relief to some of her former students that little book has vanished!
Following her retirement in 1987, Frances went on a long tour, traveling to Alaska.
She worked tirelessly with the Food Bank, her Women’s group at St. Paul Methodist church in Lincoln, read for the Talking Books for the Blind and helping neighbors that were new residents in America.
During the years she lived in her apartment at 1332 C Street, she tutored young students in math studies. Former students reached out to her when their own children struggled with various math classes. She kindly obliged, helping yet another generation understand the world of Mathematics.
Frances moved to Gramercy Hill for several years and then to Madonna in 2017 where she greatly appreciated those who tirelessly cared for her. She enjoyed family visits and especially visits from her many former students.
Family was important to her and she was always interested in hearing about the events in all of her family’s lives.
We celebrate the influence and joy she brought to all of us.
Memorials may be directed to the Elmwood-Murdock Education Foundation or St. Paul United Methodist Church, Lincoln.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 5:30-7:00PM at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel (4300 “O” St.)
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 11:00AM at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel. Burial to take place at the Elmwood Cemetery.