Frances Krestin

Frances Alice Krestin died, Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at the St. Marys Manor. She was born March 30, 1922 on a farm near Olmitz, Kansas the sixth child of ten born to Johan Alois (John A) Krestin and Theresia Rose Suchy Krestin. She left the farm at age 14 and worked as domestic help for a doctor in Great Bend to earn room and board so she could attend Great Bend High School. She was the only member of her family to attend and graduate from high school. She graduated in 1941 on a Friday and started work as a telephone operator the following Monday. Fran advanced from operator, to supervisor, to shift chief at the Great Bend telephone office. From there she transferred to the Topeka telephone office in the personnel department and then on to Leavenworth as the Chief Operator (1956), followed by Craig, CO., (1971) and Grand Junction, CO. (1972). She retired from the telephone company on April 25, 1980 with almost 39 years of service. After spending some time traveling, caring for family members, and searching for a mission for her retirement years she moved to St. Marys where she resided until her death. Fran was a member of Assumption Chapel; she was a 3rd Order member in Society of St. Pius X-Crusade for Priest. Fran was also a member of Pioneer of Mountain Telephone Company in Colorado. Requiem Mass will be at 7:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Assumption Chapel in St. Marys. Interment will be in Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, St. Marys. Miss Krestin will lie in state at the funeral home from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 22, 2016. A Rosary will be recited at 5:20 P.M. Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's disease and Related Disorders Association and sent in care of the funeral home.