Dorothy Frans

Dorothy Irene Frans, 98, of Bonita Springs, Florida, formerly of Muscatine, Iowa, passed away Saturday, November 11, 2023, in Florida. A funeral service will be held Friday, November 17, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Muscatine. Burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery. Following the burial, a time of food and fellowship will be held in the Community Room at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to a charity of your choice. Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. 

Dorothy, (affectionately called “Dot”) was born September 30, 1925, one of 9 children, in Muscatine, Iowa, the daughter of Vincent and Hattie (McGowan) Calvert. She graduated from Muscatine High School and then attended Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis, MN.  Later she graduated from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College where she also received her Masters’ Degree in Education. While at Northwestern Bible College, Dot met Ken Frans, a fellow student studying to be a minister.  Dot was working at the soda counter at the Five and Dime and Ken drank a lot of milkshakes until he got the nerve to ask Dot out. Ken and Dot were united in marriage on August 28, 1948, at Walnut Park Baptist Church in Muscatine.  They enjoyed over 50 years of marriage, as each other’s’ best friends, until Ken passed away in 2003.  During those years they had lots of adventures, including living in Minnesota, Oregon, Arizona, and Iowa.  They remodeled a number of homes, as together they were very creative.  They also took their two children, Stacy and Phil, across the continental United States during summer road trips. 

Dorothy was a college professor and women’s basketball coach at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College.  She taught French and English.  During her seasons coaching, they never lost a game!  Dot had a warm presence, and a sweet, sweet smile.  She never met a stranger and would offer whatever she had to help another in need.  She had life-long friends, a testament to her warm and loving nature. 

Dorothy would likely say her true definition was as a Child of God.  Her strong faith in Jesus Christ as her redeemer, Savior, and friend was utmost in her life.  It is because of this legacy of strong faith that her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also know the beauty, peace and joy of having accepted Christ as Lord and Savior.  We thank her for her testimony, not just in words, but in her deeds throughout her whole life. 

She will be deeply missed by her sisters, Maxine Toussaint and Ruth Fitchner, as well as her daughter, Stacy (Bill) Daniels of Bonita Springs, FL; son, Philip Frans of Three Oaks, MI; grandchildren: Shane (Erica) Daniels; Will (Shanna) Daniels; Lindsey (Kyle) Ruffell; Jeremy (Lauren) Frans; Ashley (Joseph) Benson;  Chase (Mikali) Frans.  Great grandchildren: Justin, Nicholas, Michael, Emily, Zachary, Greta, Charlotte, Evangeline, Anastasia, Genevieve, Natalie, Bryson, Addison, Jack.  And one Great-great granddaughter, Kaylina.   She is also loved and missed by numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family.  She had a wonderful, close-knit family who treasured their family reunions at Weed Park. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth, in 2003; and six of her eight siblings:  Lyle, Vivian, Virgil, Donald, Cecil, Kenny. 

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