Frances "Fran" Schnitzler

     Frances “Fran” Schnitzler, age 81, of Decorah, IA, died on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at Green Lea Manor in Mabel, MN.      Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 23, 2016, at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church, 2358 - 360th Street, Burr Oak, IA, with Rev. Matt Larson presiding. Burial will be in the Bluffton Cemetery, Bluffton, IA.      Visitation will be from 3:00 –6:00 p.m., on Friday, April 22, 2016, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA, and also after 10:00 a.m., at the Church on Saturday morning.        Frances Jeanette “Fran” Schnitzler was born on December 9, 1934, the daughter of Arthur and Kathleen (Bergmann) Rakow in Bluffton, Iowa. Fran moved to Sioux City when she was a young girl and then back to Burr Oak where she attended country school. She attended high school in Canton Minnesota, graduating in 1953. Fran married Charles Schnitzler on June 1, 1953 at the Decorah Lutheran parsonage. Together Charles and Frances had three daughters, Patty, Cathy and Laura. After the girls were born, Fran stayed at home with them until they attended school and then worked for Hansen Janitorial Services. Fran was a creative artist and enjoyed rosemaling and painting rural country scenes and portraits. She assisted at the voting site in Burr Oak and was instrumental in helping to start the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. She also enjoyed fishing, flower gardening and especially her iris beds. Fran was a member of the Burr Oak Lutheran Church and Eunice Circle. Frandearly loved her Grand dog Bayli.      Fran is survived by her husband: Charles “Charlie” Schnitzler, Burr Oak, IA. Three daughters: Patty (Rick) Johnson, Holmen, WI; Cathy (Dan) Cummings, Britt, IA; and Laura (Greg) Recker, Cresco, IA. Nine grandchildren: Angie (Faron) Finch, Phil (Amanda) Jahnke-Sauer, Tracy Jahnke, Crystal (Dustin) Schmidt, Amber (Rickie) Frascone, Christopher Widmoyer, Timothy Widmoyer, Kathleen Cummings and James Cummings. Eight great grandchildren: Viola, Wyatt, Landon, Taryn, Bailey, Harley, Dominic and Taylor. Her sisters and brothers-in-law: Joyce Maley, Marion, IA; Edna Schrandt, Decorah, IA; Donnie (Carol) Schnitzler, Decorah, IA; Dorothy “Kay” (Ron) Barth; Cedar Rapids, IA; Evelyn Schnitzler, Decorah, IA; and Julie Marhoul, Decorah, IA, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.      Fran was preceded in death by her parents: Arthur and Kathleen (Bergman) Rakow. Two children in infancy: Dennis and Mary Schnitzler. One sister: Beverly (Richard “Ronnie”) Lawson.