Frances L. Coover

Frances L. Coover, 86, a lifelong resident of Sioux City, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, at her residence following a brief illness.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel, 822 Jennings St., with the Rev. Michael Ring of Glad Tidings Lighthouse officiating. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Frances was born May 10, 1922, in Sioux City, the daughter of Oscar and Emma (Carlson) Johnson. She attended Hobson Grade School and Woodrow Wilson Middle School. She baby-sat for several families over the years. She also was a cleaning lady for the Commerce Building for 10 years.

She was an avid romance novel reader and enjoyed word puzzles, loved to color and loved her cats. Her special joy was spending time with all her grandkids. She was proud of the fact that her family had 15 five generations.

Survivors include seven children, Norma Comstock of Sioux City, Florence Mann and Bill of Sioux City, Roberta and Darrell Amick of Sioux City, Mark Coover Sr. of Thornton, Colo., Robert and Janette Coover of Le Mars, Iowa, Shirley and Jack Stidd of Nebraska City, Neb., and Linda and George Howell of Palmyra, Neb.; 21 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; three nieces; three nephews; a very special family friend, Peggy Skelton; and her cat, Mercedes "Baby."

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Esther Ridnour; a brother, Helmer Johnson; and a son-in-law, Roger Comstock.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Rich, Clay, Darin, John, Brandon and Mark. Honorary pallbearers will be her other grandchildren, Darla, Dyan, Jerri, Roger, Mark Jr., Matthew, Brenda, Jackie, Frank, Tina, Amy, Pam, Cheryl, Scott and Jeff.