Lillian F. "Fran" (Kruse) Soucie

Lillian F. “Fran” (Kruse) Soucie, 83, of Minden, formerly of Lexington, passed away Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at Bethany Home in Minden, Nebraska. She was born August 9, 1926 at Burchard, Nebraska to Francis and Hermina (Wenzel) Weakland. Fran grew up in Burchard and graduated from Lewiston High School with the class of 1945. On July 14, 1947, Fran was united in marriage to John Kruse at Beatrice, Nebraska. Two daughters were born to this marriage; Linda and Cheryl. That marriage ended in divorce and Fran married Leo Soucie on December 14, 1996, Leo preceded Fran in death. Fran discovered she had a wonderful talent for painting pictures. However, she did not begin serious painting and other art work until 1970. She has since done hundreds or even thousands of various pieces of art. She loved to paint on china, ostrich eggs and dinner sets. Fran even had a special talent for glass etching. She also enjoyed decopage, collage, and painting with gold on china and crystal. Fran sold many paintings throughout the years, and has given many away. She traveled to Montreaux, Switzerland to paint the Chillion Castle on Lake Geneva. She attended the ANAC workshop in Halsey, Nebraska for many years. She even studied art under many renowned artists, locally and all over the state. She displayed many of her pieces of art at the Lexington Library, Museum and various art shows around the area. Another talent Fran discovered was cake decorating, she loved to decorate birthday and doll cakes for friends and families in the area. Fran was a kind lady who was involved in many organizations, both artistically and community wide; such as, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Christian Women’s Club, Lexington Painting Club, Grant Extension Club, the VFW, Legion and Eagles Auxiliaries, Lexington Art’s Council, Studio 25, the Iris Society, as she always loved growing beautiful gardens. She was an art instructor at St. Ann’s School, active in the Grand Generation Center, the Lexington Women’s Club, the Grand Squares of Lexington and volunteered for the Red Cross at Westside Care Home for many years. Fran was proud of the fact that she and Leo received the “Clean Sweep Yard of the Week” from Keep Lexington Beautiful. She also enjoyed going to Miller, Nebraska to the Miller dances. She will be missed by her loving family and friends. Survivors include two daughters: Linda (Gene) Shaw of Hastings, Nebraska Cheryl (Shane) Lobdell of Lexington, Nebraska Three Great-grandchildren: Karragan, Caleb and Corbin Shaw of McCook, Nebraska Three grandchildren: Jeremy (Rylee) Shaw of McCook, Nebraska; Jason Shaw of Central City, Nebraska and Nathan Lobdell of Lexington, Nebraska One brother: Francis (Van) Weakland of Beatrice, Nebraska Two sisters: Lauretta Schultz of Beatrice, Nebraska and Florence Ullsperger of Beatrice, Nebraska Fran was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo and one brother, Raymond. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Reverend Paul Colling officiating. Burial will be in the St. Ann’s Cemetery at Lexington. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 6, 2010, from 4-6 p.m. with Wake to follow at 6:00 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the Family for later designation. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family via reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.