Frances Welsch

Frances Elizabeth (Paranteau) Welsch, 76 of Great Falls, passed away on Friday, January 31, 2014 of natural causes at a local care facility.Services will be held at a later date. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Fran was born on August 11, 1937 to Frank and Mabel Paranteau in Harlem, Montana. She graduated from Great Falls High in 1955. She married John Welsch at St. Josephs Catholic Church on June 21, 1958. After 48 years of marriage, they later divorced. Before her retirement years she worked at Benefis Skilled Nursing Center for fifteen plus years.She loved to knit and crochet. She taught her craft skills to her oldest granddaughters, Amanda and Ashley. She really loved and enjoyed spending quality time with her grandchildren. During many weekends, she spent a lot of time camping and fishing around the Lincoln and Augusta, Montana areas. Fran loved the challenge of playing bingo with her children and ex-husband. She also had a strong attachment to her vegetable and flower gardens. While watching her gardens grow, she enjoyed watching the hummingbirds that would visit her rose garden. Her favorite television shows were the Lawrence Welk Show, The Young and the Restless, and General Hospital.Fran was a lifetime member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and was very active in numerous church functions.She is survived by her daughters, Kathy (Don) Wright of Montezuma, KS, Debbie (Ted) Horning of Great Falls, Pamela (Don) Lightfoot of Castle Rock, CO, and Lisa (David) Gagnon of Colorado Springs, CO; brother Robert Paranteau of Great Falls; sisters Margie Roberson of Great Falls and Pearl Tintinger of Sparks, NV; grandchildren Amanda Gagnon of Great Falls, Ashley and John Gagnon of Colorado Springs, CO, and Megan, Laura and Emily Wright of Montezuma, KS.Frances was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; one sister; and her ex-husband.Fran will be greatly missed and forever in the hearts of her family, friends and all whose lives she touched.Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com