Patricia Arlene France, 89, formerly of Lexington, passed away on Monday, April 1, 2024, at the Kearney Regional Medical Center.
She was born on December 9, 1934, in North Platte, Nebraska to Darrel and Arlene (Drake) Fellows. She graduated from Cozad High School with the class of 1952. She continued her education at Mid Plains Community College where she received her associate degree. On June 11, 1952, she was united in marriage to William "Bill" France. Three children were blessed to this union: Victoria, Danny, and Kristie.
Patricia and Bill spent 66 wonderful years together. Patricia was a hard-working woman who had many different careers. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She spent some time working for Cornland Dressed Beef and Westside Homes before transitioning into working with upholstery. She was able to create beautiful, upholstered furniture and she had quite a talent for it. After some time, she moved on to work for the USDA Farm Service Agency where she enjoyed working with her farmers before retiring.
Patricia loved working with her hands. Besides her meticulous craft of upholstery, she was a gifted seamstress, and had quite the green thumb. She was able to grow just about anything from flowers to various fruits and vegetables. She also loved to bake. Every Christmas, she would spend hours making her own Christmas candy for her children. She made some of the best chocolate covered cherries and candy cane cookies. Although she had a small kitchen, she would magically have a table full of food out for her family all at once, piping hot.
Survivors include her two daughters, Kristie France of Kearney, and Victoria (Robert) Lipovsky of Fairfield; sister, Sharron Nejedly of North Platte; sister-in-law, Arlene France of Arizona City, Arizona; brother, Kevin Fellows of Lufkin, Texas; grandchildren, Toni (Nick) Bloch, Adam Lipovksy, Will Lipovsky, Melissa (Justin) VanDerslice, Pamela (Tylor) Higgins, Tucker (Heather) Gruntorad, Trevor (Tisha) Meyer, Allison (Kyle) Harms, Tanner (Morgan Wenninghoff) Gruntorad; great-grandchildren, Harrison Bloch, Raleigh Bloch, Boone Bloch, Cienna Wagoner, Trey Wagoner, Logan Wagoner, Tara Higgins, Danny Higgins, Hadley Gruntorad, Easton Meyer, and Garrison Harms; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bill France; son, Danny France; sisters, June Carpenter and Sandra Tappan; brothers, Dick Fellows, and Joel Fellows; and a great-granddaughter, Tshura France-Wagoner.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington with Pastor James Morton, officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.
Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com