Emma Frances Coombe was born to Edith and Fred at the Abbey Hospital in Miles City, Montana on January 1, 1921. She was followed into the world in quick succession by four additional sisters within the next five years: Inez, Freeda, Hilda and Evelyn. The Coombe family homesteaded on Home Creek near Ashland, Montana, then settled on a place on Ten Mile. There were no schools nearby, so Fred and neighboring men built the Willow Crossing School for the community’s children. Frances entered school in the third grade. The girls rode their horses to school, three on one horse and two on the other. With five girls in the family and no boys, helping with the chores on the ranch fell to the girls. Frances and sister Evie did most of the cowboying, helping herd cattle and other adventurous undertakings.
For high school Frances attended St Labre Mission School where she worked for her room and board. She transferred to Custer County High School for her senior year, graduating in 1938.
On the Fourth of July 1938 Frances began training at the Presentation School of Nursing in Miles City. Curfews and rules were strict and the courses were difficult, but she loved nursing. She graduated in 1941 and would maintain a relationship with Holy Rosary Hospital the rest of her life – over 76 years.
She met Donald Cummings at a nurses’ ball and they were married in June, 1942. After Don’s service in the Army during World War II, they welcomed children Howard in 1946, Fronda in 1949 and Connie in 1951. They enjoyed square dancing, hunting and fishing and were involved in several organizations throughout the years. They loved getting together with their expanding families.
After Don’s death in 1971 she continued working at Holy Rosary. Nursing remained Frances’ passion, holding various professional and administrative positions at Holy Rosary Hospital over the years. She began her career before penicillin and disposable needles and bandages. She cared for polio patients during the 1950’s epidemic including Iron Lung patients. In 1974 she became one of only fifteen Montana residents certified as CPR Instructor and taught all over Eastern Montana for several years. As Educational Director she instituted her famous Open House, providing hundreds of cookies and pounds of candy for hospital employees during the Christmas holiday. Frances trained generations of nurses and devoted her career and heart to improving the health of the people of Miles City.
Frances and Leo Grasky were married in 1973 until his death in 1999; more family expansion with the addition of Leo’s sons, Leo Jr and Jim and their families. She became active in the Sacred Heart Church with Leo and he joined her in many volunteer activities after her retirement. Frances was very involved with RSVP and Relay for Life for many years and remained with Holy Rosary Hospital through the volunteer program until her death.
Frances loved reading and crosswords and a rousing game of pinochle with friends. She enjoyed eating out with friends and family and was always quick to snatch the bill if not watched carefully. She was surrounded with a wonderful group of friends who were always willing to lend a steady arm as needed. She said she could keep on going as long as she had someone to hang onto.
Frances titled her autobiography “A Life in Service to Others.” She lived that motto every day: a life in service to family, friends, community and nursing.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Edith and Fred Coombe; husbands Don Cummings and Leo Grasky; daughter Fronda and son Howard; son-in-law Gary Stewart; and sisters Freeda Ort, Inez Kober and Hilda Walker. Surviving her are daughter Connie Stewart, grandson Justin (Jenny) Stewart and his children Emma and Finnegan, granddaughter Shannon Stewart, sister Mary Evelyn “Evie” Walker and daughter-in-law Dorothy Cummings. Also surviving Frances are stepsons Leo Jr. (Terry) Grasky and children, and Jim (Mary) Grasky and children.
Visitation will begin on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with a Rosary/Vigil at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow at the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 PM
Tuesday January 27, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Sreet
Miles City, MT
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday January 28, 2015
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT
Service Schedule
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 PM
Tuesday January 27, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Sreet
Miles City, MT
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday January 28, 2015
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT
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Diane Welbes says
Frances always had a smile on her face–This will be a tough time for family, but she is now with Our Lord, and what a great place to be. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kim R. Smarsh says
Frances was one of the most kind, good-hearted, affable people I have ever known. She was a trooper with the Relay For Life committee for several years–herself an almost 50-year survivor of three cancers. I will dearly miss her. May God bless your family and carry you through this most difficult time.
Darlene Sanderson, RN says
Frances will be deeply missed. She was a very knowledgable and compassionate NURSE; Her examples and willingness to teach will always be remembered at HRH. I feel I had a great opportunity to learn from one of the BEST,that I still use in my Nursing career. May God BLess you and keep you Frances.
Darlene Sanderson, RN says
Frances will be deeply missed. She was a very knowledgable and compassionate NURSE; Her examples and willingness to teach will always be remembered at HRH. I feel I had a great opportunity to learn from one of the BEST,that I still use in Nursing today!!!. May God BLess you and keep you Frances.
KEN&SHARON YOUNG says
We enjoyed meeting Frances this summer with Connie her daughter. She liked going out to eat
and took us to dinner and breakfast in Miles City.She was very alert and told us interesting
stories of her past as a nurse. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family.
Betty Vail says
Connie, I will miss your mother. What a great example of how to live a productive life after retiring. Her volunteerism is a great example of dedication to her community.
Irene Sloan says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Grasky family We were saddened to hear of your loss. Frances holds a special place in our thoughts, and memories. May God bless Frances and the Gransky family.
From Irene Sloan (and family)
Age 97
Formerly of Miles City, now residing in Billings.
Shirley Rolf says
Grasky family, sorry for your loss.
Dale & Cindy Berg says
Grasky Family,
So sorry to hear about Frances! She was a remarkable lady!
Patricia Arnold says
What an amazing woman Francis Grasky was! For so many years I have counted her among my closest friends. I will never forget sharing funny stories and laughing over silly things. Whether I was troubled, grieving or rejoicing she was there for me. Francis will always be the epitome of a great friend and an incredible woman. Rest well, Lady.
MIke & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Richard & Linda Meidinger says
The family of Francis are in my thoughts and prayers.
Francis was one of my first head nurses when I began my nursing career about 46 years ago. She was such a special and helpful person. She was always wonderful to me.
I just always enjoyed her when I met with her.
May she rest in peace.
Mary Setera says
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I didn’t know Francis real well but her smile and graciousness showed her love of the Lord and all his people. May she rest in peace.
Audrey Goyette says
Dear Connie and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Frances made such an impact in the medical community of Miles City and you should be proud of all that she accomplished. Your mom was instrumental in my becoming a registered nurse and I will be internally grateful to her. May she rest in peace.
Audrey Damm Goyette, RN
Maureen O'Reilly says
Frances was such a neat lady – she will be missed. Her pinchole friends will miss her high bidding. She was a trooper, once when there was a disaster drill, Frances and I were picked up by a jeep that was anything but comfortable – and she laughed all the while.
Wanda Holmlund says
Connie & Family: My deepest condolences to you and your family. Your mom taught me many things as a CNA while I was still in high school, and taught me a few more things as we grew up. I don’t think she always appreciated my sense of humor. She spent so much time helping others in one way or another, perhaps now it’s time to rest, but I really think she will soon be organizing some type of class for everyone and anyone to attend. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
April Thompson says
I had the pleasure of knowing Frances thru her volunteering at Holy Rosary Health Care. Always, always had a smile on her face and a willingness to do what ever she could. Reading her life story was a pleasure, what a life. She will be very missed.
Jane Viall says
I have certainly had you in my prayers Connie. I’m so sad not to be with you, but have had a bout with strep throat. I have so many memories of your mother, particularly working with her at HRH for so many years. She was one very fine woman!! As she said to my mom the other day after mom broke her hip, “Soon we will meet on the other side.” She is waiting and so is mom!! I will pray that God will bless and comfort you, particularly when you have had two such significant losses in such a short time.