Frances Schaeffer

Franny Kay Schaeffer passed away in the early morning hours of December 22, 2019 at the age of 70. Franny was born June 1, 1949 in Sheridan, WY to Frantz ”Tommy” Thompson and Beulah Collins Thompson.  She had a wonderful childhood with her parents and older sister, Phyllis.

She remained in Sheridan after school and welcomed her first two children, Stacey and Greg.  In 1973, she married Patrick Jung and he became not only her husband, but a father to Stacey and Greg. Franny and Pat were blessed with two more children, Tara and Tyson.

They decided to leave Wyoming in the summer of 1977 and move back to Pat's hometown of New England, ND.  They later divorced, but remained lifelong friends. Franny stayed in New England where she continued to raise her family. She worked for Schwartz Construction  for 22 years where she earned the nickname "9 speed Franny with a stick shift trannie." In 2003, she started a new job at the North Dakota Women's Correctional Facility as a correctional officer. She worked there until her retirement in 2015.

Franny was a loving and devoted Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and Friend. She was not only a wonderful Mother and Grandmother to her own family, but to their many friends who considered her house their second home. She was often busy with work, but when she had time on the weekends, she enjoyed cooking for her family. Franny's porcupine meatballs and homemade chicken noodle soup were two of her most famous dishes. The only thing close to her love of family and friends, was her love of the Denver Broncos. On Sunday afternoon, you would find her on her red recliner cheering (and let's be honest, sometimes yelling) at her beloved Broncos, while chewing sunflower seeds. She passed on her passion for football to her granddaughter Zoe, who was often tucked beside her watching their favorite team.

She had an amazing bond with her daughters and loved joking with her sons about how they were such "dorks".  She was a one in a million lady.

Franny will be remembered for her beautiful smile that lit up a room, her witty personality,  and for always putting the needs of others in front of her own.

Franny is survived by her sister, Phyllis (Frank) Rotellini; daughter, Stacey Marie (Josh) Dieckmann and their children, Sydnee and Wyatt; son, Gregory Allen (Tanya); daughter Tara Lee (Chad) Carter and their children, Shawnee, Zoe and Jalen; and son, Tyson Peter (Carri) and their children, Jaiden, Karson and Dominik. She is preceded in death by her parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

“Grief is learning to live with someone in your heart instead of your arms.” Franny will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of life will be scheduled sometime in June in New England, ND. Details to follow.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.valleymortuaryjackson.com