Frances S. Shuman

Frances S. Shuman, 90, of Devils Lake, ND, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, July 2, 2009 at Mercy Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial for Frances will be held on Monday, July 6, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Dale Kinzler will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and Lake Region Honor Guard, Camp Grafton. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Frances will be her special “son”, Bill Crooks and grandsons, Keaton Schulz, Griffin Schulz, Jeremy Kartes, Steven Kartes and Chris Kartes. Reading the Sacred Scriptures will be Barry and Connie Rongen, special friends of the family. Gift Bearers will be Caleb Kartes, great grandson and Mary Kartes, granddaughter. Music will be provided by Griffin Schulz, Lynne Webster and JoDee Lagein Frances Sarah Triacca was born March 27, 1919 in Providence, Rhode Island to John and Mary (Parissi) Triacca, a very proud Italian family. She attended the Holy Ghost Catholic Schools in Providence and spent many days of summer vacations at the Convent of the White Sisters of Mercy in Providence. After graduating from high school, Frances attended the National Youth Administration School, where she studied for two years. She then attended Providence College, where she received her degree in Library Science. She worked in several libraries and read many books, one of which was about North Dakota. It sounded like a very interesting place. When World War II became a reality, she joined the Navy as a Wave. Coming from a very close-knit family, this was a brave and exciting adventure, especially since no one else would dare move from the east coast. She was sent to Norfolk, VA, where she became the librarian for Fleet Service Schools. She received her first rating as Seaman 1st Class as a specialist. While in the Navy, she met the true love of her life, Bill Shuman. They were married in a naval ceremony on Nov. 10, 1945. When the war ended, they came to Devils Lake to live. She loved Devils Lake and the people and the state of North Dakota. She became a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and enjoyed doing volunteer work when she wasn’t taking care of the homefront, which she treasured. Becoming a mother was a gift she felt God blessed her with. After many years, Frances and Bill spent 25 winters in Mesa, AZ, at Apache Wells. Her volunteer work also followed her there. She worked at the Shula Nursing Home and spent many hours tutoring students at Sunshine Acres, a school for troubled children. She became a Special Deputy for the City of Mesa with the Apache Wells Posse — handgun training included. She was very proud of her duties there, patrolling at night and dealing with many dangerous situations. Nobody messed with her or her fiery personality. She received many awards for her services with the Mesa Police Department. After Bill passed away July 1, 1996, Mesa wasn’t the same without him. She came home to Devils Lake to spend her winters and found a new love: Hockey! It began with her grandsons, Keaton and Griffin. She didn’t know a thing about the sport, but pushed herself to learn and never missed a game. That brought her to her next love: The Fighting Sioux hockey team. Her one and only visit to the Ralph was memorable, especially having Pat Sweeney come to meet her. Having him flash her picture on the evening news was pretty exciting. She thought he was such a handsome boy and told him so. Many fortunate souls were able to experience the Francie Cuisine. Her famous spaghetti and meatballs, chicken cacciatore and minestrone soup were unforgettable. She would spend a week in preparation and sleep for a week after, but enjoyed every minute and loved to entertain. Celebrating her 90th birthday last March was a memorable event. She received 92 cards and would read them every day, over and over, for weeks. She enjoyed that tremendously and couldn’t believe all the people she heard from. When you met her, you never forgot her. Her kindness, compassion and nurturing left their mark everywhere. She had a love of life and spontaneity, composure and love, along with her fiery Italian temper, made for a fantastic and giving woman. Her love for her family and friends were unending. She will be truly missed, but her zest for life and her vast library of stories and experiences will always be remembered. She is survived by sons, Fred of Omaha, NE and David of New York, NY; daughter, Mary Schulz and husband Mike of Devils Lake; grandchildren, Danielle Shuman, New York, NY, Keaton Schulz (Stacey Joersz) of Mesa, AZ, Griffin Schulz of Detroit Lakes, MN, John Shuman (Terry) of Alexandria, VA, Ally Shuman of Dallas, TX and Mary Kartes (Jeremy) of Crystal, ND; great-grandchildren, Megan Shuman, Chris Kartes, Steven Kartes, Caleb Kartes and Tripp Kartes; sister, Evelyn Votoloto of Providence, RI; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Myrna and Tom Peterson, Barry and Connie Rongen, Rich and Wanda Kuntz, Carol Kellner, Esther Larson, Renil Hanson, Betty Soper, Mary Lou Kowalski and Irene Gloger; and special family member, A. (Bill) Crooks. She will also be deeply missed by Brier and Trigger. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers, John, Pat and Louie, sisters, Rose and Josephine and son, Billy Shuman.