Frances E. Taylor

Frances E. Taylor

September 7, 1930 – April 6, 2021

Frances E. Taylor was born on September 7, 1930 in Murray and died on April 6, 2021 in Omaha, Nebraska.  Survived by children: Deb Schmadeke (Gregg), Sheri Cooper, Kit Cooper (Bobbi); seven grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren.  Preceded in death by husband, Albert Taylor; son, Rick Cooper; parents, Louis and Nellie Sack; brother, Duane Sack.  Private family service and internment.  Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church of Ashland, NE.

To view live broadcasts of the Service and Interment, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on our home page after 3:00 pm on Friday, April 9th.

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Frances E. Taylor, 90 years of age, was born on September 7, 1930 in the township of Murray, NE and passed away at Hillcrest Millard surrounded by family on April 6, 2021.  Frances was the younger of the two children of Louis and Nellie Sack.  She graduated from high school in 1946 at the young age of 16.  After graduating, she attended Peru State College and received an Associate Degree in teaching.

Fran raised four children: Rick Cooper, Debbie Schmadeke (Gregg), Sheri Cooper, and Kit Cooper (Bobbie) in Weeping Water, Nebraska.  During that time, she worked for the local ASC office in Weeping Water and later years in Omaha, Nebraska at Montgomery Ward and International Stanley Corporation.

Fran married Albert Taylor July 21, 1972 in Omaha, NE and they were married for 35 years.  Fran and Al lived in many states, traveling for Al’s job throughout Iowa, Texas, and New Mexico settling back in Weeping Water and Lincoln, NE area.  During her time in Weeping Water, NE and Lincoln, NE, Fran worked for the State of Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles in the Interstate Licensing and Trucking Department.  In the fall of 1997, Fran began working as a part-time seasonal representative in accounting at Thermo King Christiansen where she worked until the age of 87.  It was a rare chance for Fran to miss a day of work.  In fact, she was known to show up thirty minutes or more early for work every day.

In their semi-retirement, Al and Fran managed Indian Skies Retirement Community in Coolidge, Arizona during the winters.  During their time in Arizona, they had fun participating in various contests, playing cards, riding cruiser bikes, and most notably singing karaoke.  It is here that Fran discovered her love for karaoke that continued for many years.

For the last nine years, Fran lived at Walnut Creek Apartments in Bellevue, Nebraska where she was known  as the resident welcome committee.  She enjoyed making coffee for her friends and participating in potlucks and birthday parties with the residents.  Fran also was a member of the Red Hat Society, a social group she met with once a month.

Fran had many hobbies and friends, but her greatest love was karaoke. Affectionately known around Omaha, NE as Karaoke Grandma, Fran participated in karaoke three nights at week, even just six weeks prior to her illness.  During her time with her karaoke family, Fran made many friends through her singing of Patsy Cline, Ella Fitzgerald, and Poison.  You could find Fran most nights at Jack’s in Elkhorn, NE in her sparkly blouses and beautiful necklaces, drinking a large glass of iced tea.

Fran had many joys in her life, but most of all she was immensely proud of her family.  In addition to her four children, she is survived by seven grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, as well as extended family that were touched by Fran’s life.

Friends and family of Fran were inspired by her zest for life.  She reminds everyone that each year is a gift, life is what you make it, and age is just a number.  It is never too late to meet new friends, learn a new hobby, or stay out after midnight.  Her greatest legacy is demonstrating to all of us how to age gracefully and stay forever young.  We imagine she is singing in heaven with Al, drinking an iced tea, and eating strawberries.

Private family service and internment.

To view live broadcasts of the Service and Interment, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on our home page after 3:00 pm on Friday, April 9th.