Obituary of Frances Margaret Harnishfeger
Frances Margaret Jenkins was born on November 24, 1926 in Arcadia, Kansas. She was one of four children born to Otto and Dorothy (Sholtz) Jenkins. On October 27, 1945 Frances wed William Clarence Harnishfeger in Pontiac, Michigan. The couple made their home in Waterford where they were blessed with three daughters and thirty wonderful years of marriage prior to William’s passing in 1975.
Frances was a beautician and owner of Fran’s Beauty Shop. She also worked as a banquet server and cook at the Pontiac Country Club. She later moved to Monroe, Michigan in 1993 when she took a position as the head chef at the Spotlight Dinner Theatre.
Frances was a social butterfly and frequented the Monroe and Frenchtown Senior Centers. She was a performer and lifetime member of the “Dudes and Dolls” exhibition square dancing club. She also volunteered her time with the Monroe Community Players. A devout Christian, Fran was a longtime parishioner of Stewart Road Church of God in Monroe where she was a member of the Ladies and Senior Ministries and Widow’s Group. A talented musician, Fran shared her singing voice at nursing homes alongside other members of the church and played several instruments including the organ and banjo.
Frances expressed herself through her artwork. She found joy in creating art with food, fabric, paint, and yarn. Fran had a passion for cooking and carefully chose her recipes from among thousands in her collection. She turned blank canvases into beautiful watercolors, scraps of fabric into intricate quilts, and crocheted skeins of yarn into soft blankets.
Frances Margaret Harnishfeger, age 95, of Monroe, Michigan passed away peacefully on Friday, July 15, 2022. Her passing was preceded by her parents; her husband: William Harnishfeger; a sister: Betty Rieck; two brothers: A. Eugene Jenkins and Meredith O. Jenkins; and a grandson: James Geiermann Jr.
To cherish her memory, she leaves three daughters: Sandra (Jim) McHugh of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Pamela (Harvey) Cooper of White Lake, Michigan, and Debra Wood of Davenport, Florida; six grandchildren: Ronald, Danielle, Pamela, Amanda, Krista, and William; and eight great grandchildren.
Friends may gather on Monday; July 25, 2022 from 2:00pm until 7:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Worship Service Celebrating Her Life will be held on Tuesday; July 26, 2022 at 11:00am also at Merkle’s. Private burial will take place at Perry Mount Park Cemetery in Pontiac, Michigan.
Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.
