Obituaries : Frances Ciesielski

Frances Ciesielski, 90 years old, of rural Independence, Iowa, died of natural causes, Monday, June 9, 2025, at Lexington Estate at Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. - Friday, June 13, at St. John Catholic Church, Independence, with Very Rev. David M. Beckman, celebrant. Burial will follow at St. John Catholic Cemetery.Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 12, at White Funeral Home, Independence, where there will be a Catholic Daughters rosary at 3:30 p.m. and parish vigil service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue for an hour before services, Friday, at the church.Fran was born January 8, 1935, in rural Black Hawk County, Iowa, the daughter of Alfonse Hum and Josephine (Schumacher) Hum. She graduated with the Finchford High School Class of 1952 and continued her education at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, (now University of Northern Iowa) for two years, and earned her teaching license. On June 11, 1960, she was united in marriage to Ronald Edwin Ciesielski at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Falls. The couple would eventually build a home in rural Independence and raise their family close to other relatives.Fran taught in Elkader, Iowa, as well as at the Amish School in rural Jesup, Iowa, before taking time off to raise her family. Later in life she was a substitute in the Jesup School District and the Director of Religious Education for St. John Catholic Church in Independence. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Ascension 495 in Independence, and she enjoyed making prayer shawls with the volunteer group at church. She was a member of St. John Catholic Church in Independence.Fran is survived by her eight children: Ronda (Mitch) Sherbon of Spencer, Iowa, Paula Bird (John Powers) of Jesup, Kevin (Lisa) Ciesielski of Robins, Iowa, Keith (Lisa) Ciesielski of Independence, Lisa (Pat) Purdy of La Porte City, Iowa, Ken (Lisa) Ciesielski of Hull, Iowa, Kurt (Lisa) Ciesielski of Altoona, Iowa, and Kyle (Leanne) Ciesielski of Inwood, Iowa; 22 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Judy Ciesielski of Waterloo, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ron; one son, Carl Ciesielski; one daughter, Brenda Ciesielski; one grandson, Nick Bird; and her brothers and sisters: Carl Hum, Mary Benson, Martha Hum, and Paul Hum.Memorials may be directed to the church.Condolences may be left at www.White-MtHope.com.White Funeral Home, Independence, is in charge of arrangements.