Oct. 12, 1935 - May 5, 2004
Francis Whitney, age 68 of Couderay, died Wednesday, May 5, 2004 at her home.
Frances was born October 12, 1935 in Radisson, Wisconsin, the daughter of Alfred and Luzenia Sander. She walked on to a better place on the morning of May 5 at her home on the shore of the Couderay River near where whe grew up. Fran attended school at Couderay and Winter, Wisconsin. She married Leland Whitney of Radisson, Wisconsin in 1959 and they lived in Webster, Wisconsin where Lee was employed as the head forest ranger. Fran was a stay at home mom until her four kids reached school age and then she went to work at various office jobs. In 1975 the family moved to Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada where she continued her career in bookkeeping and office work. She enjoyed the challenge of trying to make sense of the shoeboxes and grocery bags full of tax receipts and other documents brought in by the loggers, truckers, farmers, and contractors. She made many good friends and was always in demand for her skill and good sense of humor. One of her favorite jobs was at the Kemano II project where she met and made friends with people form all over Canada and around the world. In 1994 Fran returned to Couderay to be closer to her mother and the rest of the Sander family. She was a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of the Lakes Supierior Chippewa and went to work for various agencies of the LCO Tribal Government until she was diagnosed with lung cancer in the fall of 2003. Fran passed away at her home in Couderay with her sons and daughter present.
She is survived by her children Bruce of Aschroft, B.C., Susan of Kelowna, B.C., David of Smithers, B.C., and James (Pat) of South Range, WI; sisters Dolores Sander formerly of Couderay now residing in Spooner, Dorothy Tate of Exeland, Joy Corsette of Crown Point, IN, Grace Wills of Abrams, WI; brothers Bob (Phyllis) Sander of Exeland, Mike (Terre) Sander of Couderay; as well as numerous and well loved cousins, nieces and nephews, friends and co-workers.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Lawrence, Alfred and John; and nephews Steve Carryl and John Sander Jr.
Funeral services were held on Monday, May 10 at 1:00 p.m. at Pineview Furneral Service in Hayward. Father Gregory Hopefl officiated and burial was in Evergreen Cemetery in Couderay. Visitation was from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 9 and one hour prior to the Service at Pineview Funeral Service.
Honorary Casket Bearers were Lassie Helin, Pam Hodgsen, Darwin Klatt, Darlene Kozdraski, Gord Liemann, Doug Leslie, Mike Lucko Jr., Greg Pachnik, Stacey Sander and Jim VanGilder.
Casket Bearers were Tom Blumenberg, Butch Carryl, Larry Lasieur, Bob Sander Sr., Mike Sander and Bruce Whitney.
Pineview Furneral Service in Hayward is assisting Frances’ family with the arrangements.