Minnie Francis

Visitation: Monday May 3rd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home.

Family to receive friends: Tuesday May 4th at 10:00 a.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

Funeral services: Tuesday, May 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Chapel.

Minnie Myrle Houston Francis passed away April 30, 2010 at St. Peters Hospital in Helena after living fifteen years with breast cancer. She passed peacefully surrounded by all six of her kids and family.

Minnie was born in Townsend, MT on December 16, 1932 to Harry Houston and Vada Brisbin Houston. She grew up with her sisters Wilma Poirier, Arlene Moden, Beryl Price and her brother Lewis Houston. She taught the Sunday school junior choir and performed solos in the church choir. Minnie married Robert Francis after she graduated high school. They initially made their home in Helena, MT where they started their family seven years later. In 1966 they moved to Canyon Ferry Lake where they made their home for 33 years and raised all six of their children. Wonderful years spent baking saffron bread, enjoying bonfires on the beach and making everyone feel at home in her home.

Minnie played a large role in the community at the lake, participating and organizing Easter egg hunts, Halloween parties, and even helping start a kindergarten in the village schoolhouse. Her friends, neighbors, and co-workers enriched her life. She worked at Western Life for many years while living in Helena and worked for the Bureau of Reclamation until she retired in 1997. She and Robert moved back into Helena in 1999. Minnie remained active and social, volunteering her time at the Broadwater School helping children learn to read and at the RMDC Senior Center supporting various programs and clinics. She loved her kids all her kids even if they werent her own kids.

Minnie was proceeded in death by her parents Harry and Vada Houston, her husband Robert Francis, her brother Lewis Houston, her sister Arlene Modene, and her grandson Samuel Francis.

She is survived by her sisters Beryl Price and Wilma Poirier, her children Thomas Francis, Nancy Francis Bennett (Joe), Jan Francis Rushford Marx (Tim), Timothy Francis (Betsy), Terry Francis Kockler(Greg), and Sean Francis, and her seventeen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will begin Monday May 3rd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. The family will begin receiving friends at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday May 4th with funeral services to be held at 11:00 a.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Chapel. A reception will then be held at the Eagles Lodge. A private family burial will be at the Montana State Veteran Cemetery at Ft. Harrison.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Peters Cancer Treatment Center c/o St. Peters Hospital 2475 Broadway Street Helena, MT 59601. Condolences may be sent to the family by visitingwww.stevensonandsons.com .