It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Fran Ingalls, 85, — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
What follows is not the whole story, but a thread of it.
Fran entered this world in 1935 — the start of a journey that would span 86 years.
Fran held deeply to the Methodist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
The traditions Fran loved will continue to hold those she loved.
Fran Ingalls, 85 of Parker, died Wednesday, January 27, 2021 while staying with her family in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be at 2:00pm Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in Parker. Visitation will be from 5-7pm Tuesday at the Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home, Parker. Burial will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD. Due to Covid 19, please wear a mask and practice social distancing at both opportunities to celebrate Fran's life. Service will be livestreamed on www.facebook.com/Hofmeister-Jones-Funeral-Home . Frances E. Ingalls was born on October 13, 1935 in Sioux Falls, SD to Alpha and Mercedes (Rogers) Nash. She grew up in Sioux Falls where she attended school and Washington High School. On July 29, 1955 she was united in marriage to Darrel "Curly" Ingalls at Luverne, MN. They moved to Parker, SD in 1959 where she was very involved in the community. In 1978 she started with the Turner County Conservation District where she planted over one million trees and wrote a weekly newspaper column. Being civic minded she was very involved in the VFW and Legion Auxiliary. Fran was instrumental in creating and implementing the Freedom stage at the Turner County Fair, which provided an opportunity to showcase local talent from across our county. She also loved being the MC for the Turner County Horse Show. Fran and Curly were great supporters of the Parker School district. You could find them in the gym, on the football field, at track meets, baseball games, and anywhere there was an chance to support the Parker Pheasants. Fran started the PHS Drill Team in 1972. She loved volunteering and being involved with any activity that her kids enjoyed. Fran was very active member of the Parker United Methodist Church. She loved sharing her musical talents with her church and community. Most of all, Fran loved spending time with her family and friends. She never missed a "party" or an opportunity to sing Happy Birthday to her kids, grand kids and great grand kids. Grateful for having shared her life are 3 children, Betty Decker, Sioux Falls, Karen Schwier, New Hampton, IA, and Steve (Dawn) Ingalls, Sioux Falls; 7 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren; and a brother Richard Nash, Manhattan Beach, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Darrel "Curly" in 2001, brothers Robert and Eugene, a great grandson Tyler and a son-in-law, Scott. In lieu of flowers memorials maybe made to the Parker United Methodist Church, Parker Fire Department or the Parker Booster Club.
