Adella Frana

Adella “Adeline” Frana, age 99, of Calmar, IA, died on Thursday, January 10, 2008, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, Iowa, following a long illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 14, 2008, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, Iowa, with Rev. Donald Hawes officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Balik Funeral Home in Spillville, Iowa. There will be a rosary at 4:00 and a scripture service at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home on Sunday. Friends may call also on Monday after 10:00 a.m. at the church. Adella (Adeline) Dorothy (Shindelar) Frana was born on October 4, 1908, the daughter of Wenzel and Mary (Houdek) Shindelar on the family farm near Spillville, Iowa. Adella attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School. She was united in marriage to James R. Frana in a double wedding ceremony, along with her sister Regina Shindelar and Frank C. Frana, who was a brother to James. They were married on October 26, 1927 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. They were the first couples to have a wedding dance at the Inwood Ballroom in Spillville. Adella and James farmed northeast of Spillville. She had many interesting stories to tell from her childhood and she cherished that time. She prepared many delicious holiday meals for her large family with much love. She enjoyed gardening, baking, raising chickens and traveling. She was a very generous and giving person and was loved by all. Often she would gaze out the window enjoying the glory of nature, all the birds and flowers and the beautiful sunsets. She was very fluent in the Czech language and was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Adella’s survivors include her eight daughters: Lorraine (Tom) Lockhart, Adel, IA; Leona Whalen, Cresco, IA; Marian Nobles, Bloomfield, NM; Joanne Frana, Cedar Rapids, IA; Madonna Haddy, Cedar Rapids, IA; Arlene (Jack) Brazier, Cedar Rapids, IA; Doretta Frana, Madison, WI and Susan (John) Durham, Calmar, IA. Two sons: Wesley Frana, Decorah, IA and Alvin Frana, Calmar, IA. Thirty grandchildren, fifty-seven great grandchildren and twenty-four great great grandchildren. Two sisters-in-law: Rita Shindelar, West Union, IA and Agnes Shindelar, Spillville, IA. Adella was preceded in death by her parents: Wenzel and Mary Shindelar. Her husband: James R. Frana on July 29, 1971. Three brothers: Jerry Shindelar, Jerome Shindelar and Daniel Shindelar. Three sisters: Mary Shindelar in infancy, Regina (Frank) Frana and Margaret (Cyril) Jestrab. Two sons-in-law: William Nobles and Bobbie Haddy. Six grandsons: Michael Nobles in infancy, James Lockhart, Mark Lockhart, Ricky, Andrew and Michael Lockhart in infancy. One great grandson: Mark Whalen. The family wishes to thank the staff at Ossian Senior Hospice for the loving and respectful care given to our Mother.