Frances Vasicek

Frances M. Vasicek, 94, Grand Forks, ND peacefully passed away Friday, January 21, 2011 in Valley Memorial Home Woodside Village, Grand Forks, ND. Frances M. Herda was born July 29, 1916 in Lankin, ND the daughter of Albert and Mary Rose (MacDonald) Herda. She was raised and educated in Lankin. Frances married William J. Vasicek on June 21, 1932. They lived in Walsh County until moving to Grand Forks in 1941. William died March 19, 1960. Frances managed the gift shop in St. Michael's Hospital and later, United Hospital of Grand Forks. In 1972, she ventured into the sale of antiques and collectibles. She named her business "Fran'tiques". Fran enjoyed the many people she met as well as the research of collectibles or finding a "home" for a precious antique. Fran retired in 1997. Frances was a longtime member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Grand Forks and a proud member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Survivors include her daughters, Kay "Kata" (Richard) Novak, Minneapolis, MN, Mary (Paul) Westerlund, Golden Valley, MN, F. Angela "Frankie" (Quintin) Rottering, Webster City, IA; sons, William "Bill" (Laurie) Vasicek, Grand Forks, ND, Albert (Patti) Vasicek, Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Matthew Novak, Jeffrey Novak, Shawn Novak, Chad Ault, Michelle Vasicek, and Ian Vasicek; 8 great grandchildren; sisters, Marian Anderson, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Elizabeth "Betty" Ulberg, Plymouth, MN, Rosalie "Rhody" (Don) Wissbrod, Renton, WA, Joan (Jack) Babinski, Careywood, ID; brother, James (Joyce) Herda, Minot, ND; Sister-in-laws, Maria Herda, Grand Forks, ND and Ella Netzer-Herda, Mandan, ND; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William; daughter Veronica; siblings, Matthew, Edward, Albert, Peter and Gertrude "Trudy". Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be 6:00 p.m. Thursday, January 27, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery of Grand Forks in the spring of 2011.