Frances Helen Haidler passed away peacefully at her home in Gregory, MI with loved ones by her side on December 18, 2023. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill. Frances was born to John Henry and Margaret Mary (Landua) Hirt on August 16, 1925 and grew up on her family’s dairy farm in rural Taylor County, WI. She was the second oldest of twelve Hirt children and is survived by four siblings: her older sister, Sr Anita Hirt, brother, Raymond Hirt, sisters, Leah Sladek, and Tootie (Imelda) Wozniak. Also surviving are her four children, Patricia Haidler, Maria Fox (James), John Haidler (Laurie) and Robert Haidler (Jill); her six grandchildren who she loved and cherished: Joseph and Christine Haidler, Ian and Alexander Fox, Julia and Henry Haidler.

Frances completed nurse’s training in 1946 at Saint Joseph’s School of Nursing in Marshfield, WI. She worked as a general duty and surgical nurse at hospitals in Medford and Elkhorn, WI before serving in the US Army Nurse Corps as an RN, First Lieutenant, stationed at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, CO, where she met her husband, Second Lieutenant William (Bill) Haidler. They were married in Medford, WI on September 12, 1952.

Shortly after marrying Bill, she completed her five year military commitment and was honorably discharged from the Army on October 17, 1953. They lived in Denver until being assigned to Tachikawa AFB in Japan. Thus began a life-long love of adventure and travel. Wherever their Air Force career took them, she created a warm and welcoming home for her family. Fran and Bill retired to Niles, MI in 1976, where they became long-time residents.

She enjoyed traveling and visited all seven continents with Bill during their 63 year marriage. She was a registered nurse and an active volunteer at the Lakeland Hospital Gift Shop in Niles, MI. Before that, she was active in nurse recruiting in Colorado and Ohio. Always an avid reader, she read to the visually impaired as a Volunteer for the Visually Handicapped in Bethesda, MD.

She was also a long-time volunteer with the Niles Garden Club and a volunteer and supporter of the Fernwood Botanical Garden in southwest Michigan. Frances was fearless in the garden and could easily spend all day gardening and took great delight in seeing what would grow (or not!) If asked, she would readily share her hard-earned plant wisdom.

Frances treasured her children and grandchildren and always had a keen interest in their welfare and activities. She leaves them with many warm memories of hiking, skiing, golfing, going to the beach, spending lazy days at Lake Michigan and exploring new surroundings.

Frances was a unique woman of quiet grace, open-minded with clarity of thought and a strong sense of duty. She was a loving and caring soul, absolutely devoted to her family and faith and kind to all. She was a great source of comfort, knowledge and support to those who knew her. Her warmth and graciousness are her lasting gifts to her family.

She will be cremated and later interred next to her beloved husband, Bill, at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024, 1:00 p.m., at the Bell Tower Chapel, 1500 O’Day Street, Merrill, WI 54452.

Donations in memoriam may be made to the Women’s Military Memorial, WomensMemorial.org.

The Military Women’s Memorial is the nation’s only major national memorial honoring all women who have defended America, beginning with the American Revolution. Visitors to the Memorial experience the collective history of women in the military along with the individual stories of registered servicewomen. The Memorial’s world-class collection and research library are important resources for scholars, researchers and authors.

Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge, MI.