Frances Lewis, 86

Frances Lewis, 86, of Kalispell, peacefully passed away on Sept. 15, 2021.

She was born to Gabriel and Mary Swan on Nov. 6, 1934, in Forsyth, Montana. Frances graduated from Great Falls Central High School in 1953. She married Donald Lewis in 1958 in Reno, Nevada. They lived together in San Francisco before moving back to Great Falls and, after 20 years in Great Falls, they relocated to Kalispell.

Frances is survived by one brother, Gib Swan, of Great Falls; three children, Nancy Swan (Tom) of Whitefish, Linda Bandy (Tom) of Aurora, Colorado, and Terry Lewis (Rhonda) of Boise, Idaho. She is survived by 57 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Gabriel and Mary Swan; her husband of 58 years, Donald Lewis; as well as by her siblings, Marion Willett, Elizabeth (Betty) Shine, and Archie Swan, all of Great Falls and Richard Swan of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her children who have preceded her in death include Kerry Lewis and Donna Lewis (Great Falls), Diane Thomas (Whitefish), Daniel Lewis (Kalispell), Cindy Thumm (Boise), Linda McCollum and Kirk Lewis, both of California.

Frances loved animals. In her high school yearbook she stated that her ambition was to have a kennel of dogs. Her children always laughed because she ended up with a “Kennel of Kids” instead. At one point, she had four children in diapers at one time — cloth diapers. Frances was a very loyal, hard worker. She always had at least one job. When living in Kalispell, she managed the 4-H Camp at Loon Lake, drove school bus for Doten Bus in Somers and worked as a switchboard operator at night for the Kalispell Regional Medical Center, all at the same time. Frances loved life, Grizzlies football, her children and grandchildren. She will truly be missed.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date due to the Covid pandemic.

Donations may be made to Immanuel Foundation, 40 Claremont Street, Kalispell, MT 59901 or visit Info@immanuelfoundation.org or donate online at www.immanuelfoundation.org

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home of Kalispell is caring for the family