66, of Deer River, MN December 15, 1951 ~ June 7, 2018 Memorial Services will be held at 11 AM, Monday, June 18, 2018, at the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Princeton, MN, for Patricia "Pat" Francois, who passed away as a result of a motor vehicle accident on Thursday, June 7, 2018, in northern Minnesota. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, June 17, 6–8 PM and one hour prior to the service on June 18. Pat was born to the late Jack and Dorothy (McConaughey) Francois in St. Paul, MN. Pat graduated from Stillwater High School and the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, where she earned degrees in art and special education. Pat taught special education for over 40 years in Minnesota and South Dakota. She retired this month from the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School, which serves Leech Lake Reservation. Pat was an artist with a passion for fiber. She enjoyed weaving, quilting, and incorporating art projects into her work as a teacher. Pat is survived by her daughter, Abby (Sean) O'Brien of St. Paul; Elvis Zimmer of McGrath, MN; her beloved dog, Cookie; brothers, Jim Francois of Ironwood, MI, John (Kathy) Francois of Hayward, WI, Gene (Nancy Asher) Francois of Minneapolis; sisters, Madonna (Carl Broberg) Francois of Washburn, WI, and Judy Lange of North St. Paul; step-children, step-grandchildren, step-great-grand children, and many nieces and nephews. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Dorothy Francois; brother, John Ross Francois; sister-in-law, Judy Francois; and brother-in-law, Brian Lange. Burial will be at the Bethany Reformed Church Cemetery, Clara City, MN, at a later date.
Linda Peterson
Patricia Elizabeth FRANCOIS