Frances (Rodwick) Firstenberger

Frances Helen (Rodwick) Firstenberger died peacefully on November 11, 2024, at her home in Jimtown.  

She was born in Elkhart on June 17, 1934, on a Father's Day, to William Joseph Rodwick and Margaret Jane (Williams) Rodwick. She was married to the love of her life William Gray Firstenberger on November 5, 1965, in Las Vegas.

Fran was a graduate of the University of Arizona School of Nursing, and in her senior year served as Student Body President. She had an expansive nursing career serving in many capacities, retiring in 2000 as the School Nurse for Baugo Community Schools.

She is survived by her son William Andrew Firstenberger, daughter-in-law Lori Firstenberger, grandson Eric Firstenberger, niece Tracey (Moore) Salomon and family, nephew Michael Boots and family, nephew Scott Moore and family, great niece Deja Gworek and family, and extended members of the Rodwick and Hummel families. She was preceded in death by her husband William Gray Firstenberger, sisters Catherine Moore and Sally Boots, brother-in-law Robert Boots, sister-in-law Betty Lou (Firstenberger) Hummel, and brother-in-law Arthur Hummel.

Fran was a lover of life, animals, nature, and all things connected to the University of Notre Dame and the Chicago Cubs. Known for her pithy sayings, two seem most appropriate as epitaphs; “This too shall pass” and “What will be will be.”

A celebration of life service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Elkhart on December 9, 2024, at 11am, preceded by family visitation beginning at 10am. A luncheon will follow for those in attendance. The Holy Sacrifice of The Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of Frances Firstenberger on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 7:00 am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.  Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to Ruthmere Museum, 302 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, IN 46514, or online at Ruthmere.org.

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