Francine O. Schmitz, 84, of North Fond du Lac formerly of the Malone area, died Monday, September 20, 2010, at the Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac.

The former Francine Karls was born June 6, 1926 in Johnsburg to the late John & Louisa (Kohlman) Karls. On May 29, 1946, she married Clarence Stephany. He preceded her in death on July 22, 1955. On November 21, 1959, she married Anthony A. Schmitz in Johnsburg. In addition to caring for her home and family, she helped on the family farm.

Francine was a member of St. Isidore Parish Holy Cross Church in Mount Calvary where she also sang in the choir for funerals. She loved to bowl and play cards.

Survivors include her husband, Anthony of North Fond du Lac; her children, Donna (Dan) Koenigs of Plymouth and Jerome (Gail) Stephany of Lomira; her stepson, Paul (Linda) Schmitz of Malone; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; her sister, Leona Schneider of Pipe; her brother, Roger (Lyla) Karls of Johnsburg; four sisters-in-law, Evangeline Karls of Fond du Lac, Evelyn Korb of Marytown, Evelyn Schmitz of Fond du Lac and Ludina Schmitz of Mount Calvary and a brother-in-law, Robert (Caroline) Schmitz of Dotyville.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her first husband, Clarence Stephany; five sisters, Viola (Alois) Forstner, Ludwina (Walter) Mueller, Clara (Francis) Dreifuerst, Florence (Albert) Mand and an infant sister, Angeline Karls; two brothers, Ben (Dolores) Karls and Clem Karls and her brother-in-law, Edwin Schneider.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 PM on Thursday, September 23, 2010 at St. Isidore Parish Holy Cross Church 308 County Road W in Mount Calvary. Rev. Steven Kropp OFM Cap. will officiate.

Burial will be in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Johnsburg.

Family and friends may call at the Sippel Funeral Home 1311 Thorp Street in St. Cloud on Wednesday, September 22nd from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again at the funeral home Thursday afternoon from 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM when brief family rites will be held at the funeral home.
A prayer service will be held at the funeral home Wednesday evening at 8:00 PM.

A Memorial Fund will be established in her name.