Frances Anna Moelter was born June 23, 1933, to John and Josephine (Ritter) Moelter at Opal, SD. She was the second of four children. They farmed and ranched at Opal until they moved to Tacoma, WA, in 1944 where her father joined the war effort and worked in the shipyards building ships. They moved back to South Dakota in 1948 and resumed life on the farm.

Frances graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1952 and she married Raymond L. Hanzlik June 3, 1952, at Opal. They ranched on Sulphur Creek, raising sheep and cattle until 2009 when they moved to Sturgis, SD.

Frances was a wonderful wife and mother. She worked several jobs over the years while putting her children through high school. She waited tables and worked at the Faith Independent newspaper. After her children were grown and married, she cleaned homes for many all over Meade County. She also worked as a teacher's aide and a substitute teacher.

Frances loved baking bread for her family. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy and she loved all the neighborhood children and was a surrogate grandmother to many.

Frances passed away Monday, June 13, 2016, at Sturgis Regional Hospital

She is survived by four sons, Robert (Maureen) Hanzlik, Mud Butte, Tater Hanzlik, Gillette, WY, Norman (Theresa) Hanzlik, Union Center, and Maurice (Shirley) Hanzlik, Winnemucca, NV; two daughters, Christi (Dennis) Gregersen, Gillette, WY, and Janette Collins, Gillette, WY; 12 grandchildren, Heath, Clinton, and Lindsy Hanzlik, Dana Sparks, Trinity Neno, Heidie Jasiak, Todd Hanzlik, Michael Hanzlik, Brittny Hanzlik, Niesha Gregersen, Cindy Collins, and Colleen Collins; and 18 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; her parents; brothers, Alfred Moelter and Robert Moelter; one sister, Rosie Fees; one son, Frank Hanzlik; and one granddaughter, Charity Collins.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 15, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a Rosary starting at 6:30 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 16, 2016, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis. Burial will follow at Fairpoint Cemetery in Fairpoint, SD.

Memorials have been established to the Lippold Hospice Suite at Sturgis Regional Hospital and the Fairpoint Cemetery.

Click on link to view service folder