Frances Elizabeth Carnell

Frances Elizabeth Carnell entered into eternal life on Friday, October 21, 2022, at the age of 96.  Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 27, 2022, at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca.  Visitation will be Wednesday, October 26, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with a time of sharing at 7:00 P.M. at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca.  Burial will be at Silver Ridge Cemetery in Rural Ponca, Nebraska.  Mohr Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.  Online condolences may be made to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Fran was born on March 30, 1926, to Jesse and Alma (Kamrath) Crofoot on the Crofoot homestead.  Growing up on a farm 7 miles west of Ponca, she enjoyed running water, an indoor bathroom, Delco Light Plants, and an icehouse.  She loved the smell of the apple orchard in the fall and having threshers come in for meals.  She also loved watching the farming with horses.  She had a special sixteenth birthday party where they played London Bridge is Falling Down.  Fran stated that all her birthdays have been memorable because each one is a gift. 

Fran attended School District #19 – Ponca High School and graduated in 1942 at the age of 16 with 42 classmates and was Salutatorian of her class.  After graduation, she held several jobs but was looking for adventure and at 18 she traveled to California by train.  She worked there as a department store clerk but eventually got homesick and headed back to Ponca.  She married Max Carnell in a double wedding, with Max’s brother Bob Carnell and Dona Evers, on April 14, 1946.  Fran and Max became parents to Terri Lamprecht, Dennis Carnell, Diane Neill, Charles Carnell, Kent Carnell, Lynette O’Dell, Roger Carnell, and Tyler Carnell.  She has 20 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.  Max and Fran owned and operated Max’s Place for 10 years with their specialty being fried chicken and potato salad.  Later their business was called Carnell Construction, specializing in dirt work.  Fran’s husband Max died on October 4, 1980. 

Fran was a member of the Salem Lutheran Church and over the years had been active in the Dorcas Circle which later became WELCA and served as Treasurer for 3 terms.  She worked with the Salem Quilters and was the church custodian for 10 years.

Fran’s hobbies had been gardening, flowers and was extremely active in the following clubs: Silvercreek Club, Ponca Woman’s Club, Fireman’s Auxiliary, Trailblazers Saddle Club, Entre Nous, Ponca Legion Auxiliary #117 where she was honored to serve as Chaplain for many years.  Fran also served on the Election Board for many years and also an active member of the Ponca Senior Citizen Center for many years.

Fran had the privilege to travel to many of our states and to Denmark and Canada.  After age eighty, she enjoyed trips to Disneyworld and Disneyland where the roller coaster was her favorite. 

Her favorite memory was attending Kamrath reunions and Carnell reunions.  Where the Carnell reunion has been held for fifty plus years.  She also enjoyed supporting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all their activities and events up until a month before she had passed.

Fran is survived by her children, Terri (Jim) Lamprecht of Ponca, NE, Denny (Nikki) Carnell of Ponca, NE, Diane Neill of Ponca, NE, Chuck (Rhonda) Carnell of Gretna, NE, Kent (Karla) Carnell of Ponca, NE, Lynette (Don) O’Dell of South Sioux City, NE, Roger (Paula) Carnell of Ponca, NE, and Tyler (Ann) Carnell of Blair, NE; 20 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Alma (Kamrath) Crofoot; her husband, Max Carnell; brothers, Alvin “Babe” Crofoot, Carl “Bus” Crofoot, Maurice Crofoot, and Keith Crofoot; son-in-law, Curt Neill; grandson, Ryan Carnell; and great-granddaughter, Erin Knerl.