Frances C Trudeau

Frances C. Trudeau, age 78, of Mankato, died Saturday, May 27, 2006 at Immanuel St. Josephs Hospital in Mankato.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Mankato, with Rev. John Wilmot officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Hills Memorial Park in Mankato. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday at Mankato Mortuary, with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Memorials may be given to Immanuel St. Josephs Hospice Program.

Frances was born on March 14, 1928 in Tyler, MN. She was the daughter of Cecil and Gladys (Charlesworth) Kelley. Frances was a graduate of Marshall High School. She was united in marriage to Leo Trudeau on October 28, 1946 in Marshall. Frances was a mother and homemaker for her family, and was also employed with Mankato Dental Arts, the City of Lake Crystal, and Carlson Craft. She was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, a former member of Holy Family Catholic Church, CCW, and was the first FHA President in Minnesota. A woman of strong faith, Frances made sure that her family always came first. She enjoyed sewing, painting, woodworking, and breeding horses with her son.

Frances is survived by her four daughters, Cheryl (Melvin) Pettersen of Lake Crystal, Susan Jones of Apple Valley, Julie Jones of North Mankato, and Carmen Oeffler of North Mankato; one son, Kelly (Vicki) Trudeau of North Mankato; fourteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Clayton (Betty) Trudeau of Springfield and Mary Jo (Terry) Crist of Richardson, TX; also nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo in 2004; son, Terry in 2006; sister, Jackie Michel; and two brothers, Ken and Jim Kelley.

Frances was a small Irish woman you always wanted in your corner.