Frances Marie Dvorak

Frances Marie Dvorak Frances Marie Dvorak, 59, of Grand Forks, ND died Saturday April 17, 2010 in Grand Forks with her loving husband by her side. Frances Landowski was born on May 14th 1950 in Crookston, MN the daughter of John and Grace (Kretchmar) Landowski. She was raised in Drayton, ND, to age 5. The family moved to Moorhead, MN, and she attended St. Francis DE Sales Elementary School from 1956-1962. Her family moved to California, and she graduated from Pomona Catholic Girls High School in 1968. She received her B.S. in social Sciences from Cal-Poly University in 1972. She moved back to Grand Forks and begin teaching in 1974. She was the beautiful bride of Jerome Dvorak, in Drayton, ND, on July 24th, 1975. She taught in the Grand Forks Public School District as a kindergarten teacher for 23 years. She received her Master's Degree from UND in 1996 in child study and education. Fran was a devoted wife and mother, teacher and friend. The kindness Fran showed to all was sincere and natural. She was thoughtful, generous, and chose to see the best in everyone. Her talents to teach were served in the Grand Forks Public School system for years, dedicating herself to every aspect of "her kids"; their education, happiness, health, and well being. Family time was most important to her, taking Fall road trips to watch the leaves change, pajama rides to go get ice cream or see Christmas lights around town, finding the serenity of her lake cabin on Lake of the Woods, seeing back to back movies at the theater, and treating her kids to a dinner out. She loved to travel and arranged incredible adventures to keep her family excited about learning and experiencing new things. The sense of humor she possessed was free spirited, light hearted, witty, and fun. She was an inspiration to everyone knowing her story with cancer, as she truly was a survivor, living life to the fullest, with a positive attitude, and not a complaint to be heard. Fran is survived by her husband Jerry Dvorak, Grand Forks; children Amanda (Corey) Jasper, Adam Dvorak; grandchildren, Marcus and Cody Jasper; Sister Cathy (Raymond) Lyle; sister-in-law, Ricki Landowski; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Fran was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Wayne Landowski. The family gives special thanks to the staff at Altru Cancer Center, staff at Altru Hospital, and staff at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.