April 4, 2023 at 7:54 a.m.

Everson, Frances Marian (Harlan)

Everson, Frances Marian (Harlan)
Everson, Frances Marian (Harlan)

Frances Marian (Harlan) Everson was born on March 6, 1928 to Franklin and Leatha (Nutter) Harlan in Richland Center, WI, the fifth of their seven children. She died peacefully on February 28, 2023 at Dellwood Gardens Assisted Living in St. Paul, MN, old age and dementia having run their course, as Frances passed on to her heavenly home. Fran married Donald Everson in 1947 and lived and farmed with him until his death in 2004, then moved to Dodgeville, WI. They raised their three children on the farm: Mary (McFarland, WI), Jean (Maplewood, MN), and Fred (South St. Paul, MN).

Fran was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; siblings (and their spouses) Phyllis (Kenneth) Willis, Irma Mae (Bill) Gabrielli, Richard (Betty) Harlan, Helen (Roy) Allan, Robert (Lorraine) Harlan, and James/"Bill" (Judy) Harlan; and nieces & nephews Bonnie, Stephanie, Chuck, Gary, and John (in infancy). She is survived by her three children: Mary Everson, Jean (Doug) Kovars, and Fred (Jeanie) Everson; five grandchildren: Sara (Philip) Letourneau; Teresa; Jarena, Esther, and Daniel Everson; four great grandchildren: James (Grace), Austin, Abby, and Ronan; one great great grandchild, Charlotte; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Music, faith, church, family, friends, food and laughter all figured large in her life, alongside milking cows, baling hay, hauling wood, fixing fence, and countless other chores, plus the routines of cooking meals, washing clothes and cleaning house. Her tenure as a church organist spanned nearly 70 years, beginning in First Baptist Church of Richland Center, continuing at Fairview Lutheran Church (rural Avoca, WI), and Edmund Evangelical Free Church (Edmund, WI). She slid off the church organ bench, so to speak, when she moved to McFarland, WI and then South St. Paul, MN, and finally St. Paul, MN, but stayed active at corresponding churches-Grace Evangelical, Roots Covenant, and Salem Covenant-and continued playing an organ (which had been her brother Robert's) at home. While living on the farm she gave piano lessons to dozens (hundreds?) of children/youth in the Clyde School, her home, or the homes of the students. She led various choirs and accompanied and/or sang for scores of weddings and funerals, as well as volunteering with music at Bloomfield Manor Nursing Home.

Visitation will be Friday, April 14, 5:00-7:00 PM at the Lulloff-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home, Dodgeville, WI. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 11:00 AM at the Edmund Evangelical Free Church, Edmund, WI, preceded by additional visitation beginning at 10:00 AM, and a light lunch to follow in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to the Alzheimer's Association, the Edmund Evangelical Free Church, or the charity of your choice. A private family burial will occur at the Fairview Lutheran Church cemetery, rural Avoca, WI.

Perhaps you can still hear Fran saying her signature parting words: "Tell everybody you see 'hello'," and "See you in the funnies."

The Lulloff-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home, Dodgeville, is serving the family. Online condolences can be made at www.houckfuneralhomes.com.

Lulloff-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home
Dodgeville
608-935-3628
www.houckfuneralhomes.com
DODGEVILLE

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