Nelva “Elaine” Francis, 96, of Grand Island died Thursday, May 25, 2023 at Tabitha at Prairie Commons in Grand Island.
Services in Elaine’s honor will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 1 at All Faiths Funeral Home. Pastor Jim Garfield will officiate. Visitation will be held an hour prior. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Fullerton Cemetery in Fullerton.
Nelva “Elaine” Francis was born Jan. 31, 1927 near Fullerton, the fourth child of William and Margaret (Nunn) Downing. Elaine grew up on the family farm north of town and attended the country school 1 and 3/4 miles away, walking to and from school in all weather. She attended high school during WWII and worked in the rationing office and law firm of Thompson and Thompson.
On March 2, 1947 Elaine married Lloyd “Verlin” Francis at the Presbyterian Church in Fullerton. They celebrated 72 years together before his passing on April 14, 2019. The couple was blessed with four children, Richard, Mark, Carol and Lori. The family followed Verlin’s employment and lived in Blair, Elkhorn, Lyons and, for 51 years, they lived in Wayne before moving to Grand Island to be closer to family.
Elaine was employed as a secretary for a local law firm but left to raise a family. Her priorities were home and family. When the children were old enough, she returned to work at the Wayne State Student Union and then as a receptionist for the local chiropractor. She was a gifted painter, recreating many scenes from her childhood growing up on the farm. She also created beautiful quilts for family and friends.
She was actively involved in the Wayne Presbyterian Church where she served as Elder and Deacon. She worked with the local food pantry and clothes closet. Verlin and Elaine also delivered Meals on Wheels. In addition, much of her free time was spent on researching family genealogy.
Survivors include her children, Mark (Deana) Francis, Carol Larsen (Layne Matthes) and Lori Francis (Randy Bartling); grandchildren, Christina (Brett) Peters, Andrew (Liz) Francis, Ian Francis (Ofelia Duran), Stephanie (Justin) Boden, Whitney (Derek) Rief, Jennifer (Mike) Graham, and Lindsey (Aaron) Modlin; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Verlin Francis; son, Richard Francis; parents; son-in-law, Jeff Larsen, brother, Lloyd (RuthAnn) Downing, sisters, Elizabeth Downing, and Margaret (Kenneth) Piersen.
