Frances Kennedy

Frances Ann Kennedy, 76, Wausau, WI, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully in her home on Sunday February 2, 2020.

Fran was born April 27, 1943 in Munising, Michigan to the late Michael and Margaret (Rose) Kennedy. Fran was an accomplished seamstress for the majority of her life and even started her own sewing and upholstery business about 20 years ago, most recently The Sewing Room, in Wausau. She was well known for her quality workmanship. At times, when taking on one of her more challenging projects, she may have uttered some rather “colorful” comments.

Fran was incredibly creative and enjoyed home improvement projects; she was generally armed with not one, but two cordless drills and wasn’t afraid to use them! She believed there was nothing a little hard work and creativity couldn’t fix. Fran deeply loved her canine pets, the first, LuLu, and most recently, Missy, her faithful companion who misses her immensely.

Fran enjoyed spending her evenings snuggling with Missy and watching crime investigation shows. She loved to cook, entertain, listen to a wide variety of music, and spend time with family and friends; after a few cocktails, she was known to dance the night away.

She and Dan Artibee married right out of high school and in addition to raising Fran’s younger brother Denny, they had two daughters, Cindy and Danette; she later married Bob Cota who passed away in 2008. Fran had a huge heart and was always ready to provide a listening ear or a cheerful message. She even volunteered time with needy children and opened her home to foreign exchange students.

Fran was an enthusiastic and devoted grandma to her four grandchildren Krista and Serina, teenage daughters of Cindy and Jim Zelenka, and Brad and Adam, teenage sons to Danette and Tim Bernklau. She is survived by her brothers Patrick (Lois) Kennedy and Dennis Kennedy. Fran was preceded in death by her sister Margaret (known as Mickey), her brother Michael, and numerous extended family members and close friends. Fran was a parish member of St. Michael Catholic Church of Wausau and attended Mass regularly.

The Funeral Mass for Fran will be at 5:00 PM on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 611 Stark Street, Wausau, Wisconsin 54403. Rev. Msgr.  Mark Pierce will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until the time of service at the church. In Summer of 2020, a Memorial Mass and Committal Service for Fran will be held in Munising, Michigan. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements: you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.

Heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Helke as well as all of Fran’s family and friends for their sincere support and condolences.