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Dec. 31, 2011
Frances 'Fran' Maier
Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012
Frances "Fran" Maier, who worked at Washington State University for 30 years, 1949-1979, and retired from Campus Life, died Dec. 31.
Maier, 90, died at Elm Crest Manor in New Salem, N.D.
A family memorial service was held Jan. 4 at the Elm Crest Manor Chapel, New Salem, N.D.
Frances was born Jan. 7, 1921, in Hannover, N.D., to Philip and Anna (Henke) Maier. Fran went to parochial school the first eight grades in Hannover then graduated as Salutatorian from New Salem High School. She went on to attend North Dakota State University, graduating in 1942 with a bachelor of science degree in foods, nutrition and institution management.
Fran was a registered dietician. She taught school for six months in Belfield, N.D., and then went to work for government food services in Washington, D.C., through World War II until 1948.
She attended the University of Illinois from 1948-1949 and went to work for WSU, Pullman, Wash., in 1949.
Fran was called "Squeak" by the thousands of students who ate at the Rotunda Dining Hall. She managed the dining hall which fed 1,600 students three meals each day. She considered the students her friends.
In 1962 the Rotunda won a national food service award and Fran was presented a merit award in Chicago from Institutions Magazine. This award is called the "Oscar" of the food service industry.
Fran was a member of the Cougar Club, which provided a rabid fan base for the WSU Cougar football team. She and her fellow fans followed the team far and wide on their game schedule.
Fran was a longtime member of the International Chapter PEO Sisterhood and Gamma Phi. She loved downhill skiing, playing bridge and hosting parties. She traveled extensively. Fran was an active and long time member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Pullman.
After retiring from WSU, she moved to New Salem to live in her parents home. She spent hours in her garden and made many improvements to her home.
Her greatest joy was her nephews and nieces. She was extremely generous and often took them on trips with her or provided travel for them. She made her time shares available to many.
Fran was able to stay in her home much longer due to assistance of several important people. She became good friends with Eunice Morgenstern and was so grateful for her kindness and care. Fran then went to live at Maple View in Bismarck and then to Elm Crest Manor in New Salem. The family thanks both facilities for their great care of Fran.
Blessed to have shared her life are her sister, Lucille (Wally) Fowler, Wenatchee, Wash.; brothers, Raymond (Neoma) Maier, New Salem and Arnold (Evelyn) Maier, Minot, N.D.; nieces and nephews, Alan (Marilyn) Maier, Colorado Springs, Colo., Katherine (Pat) Doll, New Salem; Duane (Karen) Maier, New Salem; JoAnne (Blane) Hoesel, Bismarck, N.D., Gary Maier, Center, N.D.; Gayle Lee, West Hope, Paul (Stacey) Fowler, Wenatchee, Wash.; Janet (Lee) McElvaine, Snohomish, Wash.; and David (Sheree) Fowler, Calif.
Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Anna, and her sister, Beatrice Maier.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to Elm Crest Manor or Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. Go to http://buehlerlarson.com/?p=685 to sign her online guestbook.
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