Frances Heles

Frances Veronica Golszanski Heles was born on January 26, 1923, in Illinois. She was reunited in heaven with her beloved husband James John Heles on January 27, 2011. Frances graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Des Moines in 1940, and she attended Dowling Junior College thru 1942. She married James on May 29, 1943. During WWII she supported the war effort by working at the Des Moines Ammunition factory near Ankeny and later by working on B29 bombers in Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Frances Golszanki; her husband, James Heles; and daughter, Mary Frances Heles Ryan. Frances is survived by daughter, Margaret Heles Paton (Larry) of Corpus Christi, TX; sons, Frederick James Heles of Los Angeles, CA, and Gregory Shane Heles (Andrea) of McAlester, OK; brother, Anthony Golszanski of Des Moines; sister, Elizabeth “Susie” Krejci of Eldridge, IA; sister-in-law, Ardith Heles of Des Moines; grandchildren, Michele Pitschneider, Christina Paton, Amelia Baglin and Nicole Montgomery; and great-grandchildren, Ava Sandstede, Austin Pitschneider, Daniel Pitschneider and Adelaide Baglin.

Her life if best characterized as devoted to family and God. She was a mother who always supported and yet challenged her children to strive for excellence. Her devotion to God was evident in her church activities which included parish council member and Eucharistic Minister. The garden was her passion and she was a certified Master Gardener, and a member of the Saylorville Garden Club. Always curious and creative, she pursued many other hobbies such as sewing, ceramics, rock and sea shell collections.

We, her children, take time now, near Mother’s day, to honor her memory and to reunite her earthly ashes with our father James. A Celebration of Life Mass will be at All Saints Catholic Church on Monday, May 9, 2011, at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Pine Hill Cemetery after the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, please offer memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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