FRANCES M. CONNEALY GREGSON, 93 years, of Decatur, Nebraska passed away Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the Elmwood Care Centre in Onawa, Iowa.

Frances was born August 19, 1914 at Decatur, Nebraska to George and Minnie (Conway) Connealy.  She graduated from Decatur High School in 1932 and enrolled in Briar Cliff College to study music.  But Frances was needed back home and she left college after one year.  Later she moved to Plentywood, Montana where she lived with a family and taught music lessons to children in the community.  It was in Montana that she became very close to her little cousin, Norman, and helped raise him after his mother's tragic death.  She also lived for several years in Los Angeles where she worked in a department store and became the store's first woman manager.  While in L.A., she became quite involved in the arts and culture and saw opera star Marian Anderson perform - an experience that Frances said forever changed her view of the world and opened her mind to new ideas.  An uncle encouraged her to take her business skills to Lewiston, Idaho where she took a position as a store accountant.  There she met and married her beloved Paul in 1953.  The couple lived in Lewiston, where they owned and operated Gregson's Shoe Store until Paul's death in 1979. 

After her husband's death, Frances sold the shoe store and worked in a health store.  This is where she gained knowledge about natural foods and healthful living.  She also lived in Ireland for a brief period before returning to Decatur in 1983 to live near family and friends.

Frances devoted her senior years to tending her roses and other plants, reading, writing poetry, practicing healthful living, and mentoring others.  She treasured time with her "daughters", Judy Anderson, Jody Kellogg and Nancy Minton, her special cousin, Norman Campbell, her dear friend, Mary Jo Connealy, her parish priest, Father Jim Kramper and many, many others who cherished, loved and cared for her.  Having been preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her brothers, Frances made everyone in her life her family.  She always considered her music students her children.

FUNERAL MASS: Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Decatur, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 4 - 8 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Decatur with a 6:00 p.m. Wake Service. Visitation will also be held Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Holy Family Catholic Cemetery, rural Decatur, Nebraska

MEMORIALS: The building project for the new Sears Center for Seniors and Wellness c/o First Nebraska Bank, Decatur.

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com