Frances Sawhill

Frances Ann (Lindquist) Sawhill, 103 years of age, entered eternal life peacefully on January 16, 2022, at her home in Des Moines, Iowa. A celebration of life will be held for immediate family only at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Guests are welcome to join the service at 2:00 PM via live stream below.

Frances was born October 23, 1918 in Hiteman, Iowa, the daughter of Sigrid and F. Conrad Lindquist, and lived most of her life in Des Moines.

As a child, her family moved around Iowa to where there were jobs during the Great Depression. At one point her and her siblings were split up to live with different relatives for a couple years until her parents were more settled. She quit her last year of school so she could work and earn money for her family after her mother fell ill due to a stroke. She later went back and received her diploma.

She worked at Dean’s Studios and her co-worker introduced Frances to Ronald P. Sawhill. They were later married on June 25, 1950 and together they had four beautiful children. She was an amazingly strong woman who raised her family after her husband unexpectedly passed away in 1966. She was a devoted mother to her children and also helped take care of her mother, her Aunt Anna and Uncle Gus. She was the most caring person who always had a smile on her face and a great attitude. During tax season she worked for the Iowa Department of Revenue and then volunteered at elections once retired. Some of her favorite things besides spending time with her family were her annual 4th of July party, shopping at Kohl’s, scratch-off tickets, and monthly lunches with her friends. Frances will be remembered most for her amazing attitude towards life, her Swedish pride, her cherry bars and potato salad. She spent her whole life helping and caring for others. This was instilled in her children as they gave her the greatest gift by taking care of her in her home for the last 4 years of her life. This allowed her to live her final days in comfort and peace at her home.

She will be greatly missed by her children Barb (Jim) Widlund, Mark (Mary) Sawhill, Paul (Kathy) Sawhill, and Bill (Cathy) Sawhill; 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, her cousin Birgit Söderström of Sweden and her friends Ila and Leona.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Ronald, her parents, sisters Mildred Bierman and Ruth (Bill) Krieg, brother Conrad (Betty) Lindquist, and stepson Ronald E. Sawhill.

Our family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Lutheran Hospital during her stay and the nurses at UnityPoint Hospice for taking such great care of her during her final days of life.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church and The Animal Rescue League.

Condolences may be shared online at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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