Frances Meicher

Madison - Frances Norine (Murphy) Meicher, age 87, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at the Agrace HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg.

Frances was born to Arthur and Elizabeth (Cummings) Murphy on October 29, 1924, in La Crosse. She was the third of four children and remained close to her sisters throughout her life. She was raised on the family farm in Sleepy Hollow, near Gays Mills, where she developed a strong work ethic, which remained with her for the rest of her life. Fran attended Edgewood College and St. Mary's School of Nursing in Madison, graduating in 1946 as a Registered Nurse. It was there where she met her future husband, Joseph Meicher. They were married on June 21, 1947, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in La Crosse, and returned to Madison where they lived for the remainder of their lives.

Fran worked at St. Mary's Hospital as a Registered Nurse for 29 years before her retirement in 1990. Her servant's heart was apparent through her gentleness and the compassion she extended to her patients and family alike. She will always be remembered for her smile, sweetness, and easygoing manner.

Fran was devoted to being an excellent wife, mother and homemaker. Her family was her life. She will always be remembered for her endless love and devotion to her husband of nearly 62 years. She created many fond memories with her children and grandchildren. She loved to garden and tend to her plants and flowers. She was a great cook and loved to bake for others.

Fran was also involved in her church. She was a member of the Catholic Women's Club, Altar Rosary Society, and Foresters.

Frances is survived by her six children, Jane (Jim) Adams of Fitchburg, Jim (Chris) Meicher of Oregon, Julie McDonnell of McFarland, John (Lori) Meicher of Fitchburg, Jody Lease of Cottage Grove, and Jerome (Jody) Meicher of Appleton. She is further survived by her sisters, Anita Quinn of Wauwatosa, and Helen Juan of La Crosse. Fran had 13 grandchildren, Matthew, Nichole, Morgan, Kali, Emily, Joseph, David, Daniel, Natalie, Francine, Alex, Rodney and Pamela; and four great-grandchildren, Alexis, Peter, Karissa and James. Fran was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; her infant daughter, Mary Jane; her parents, Arthur and Elizabeth; and her sister, Sr. Marie Dorothy Murphy.

A Mass of CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 30, 2012, at GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC PARISH AT ST. JAMES CHURCH, 1204 St. James Ct. Madison, with Msgr. Tom Baxter presiding. A visitation will precede the mass at 9:30 a.m. Family and friends may call from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2012, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Frances to St. Mary's Hospital Nursing Scholarships, 700 S. Park St., Madison, WI 53715; or to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 East Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers at St. Mary's Care Center and Agrace HospiceCare who cared for Fran during her final year.