Frances Marie Gehlhausen

Frances M. Gehlhausen, 88, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2024, at Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, Florida.  Born at home in Rockford, Illinois on January 24, 1936, daughter to Merril and Ethel Schafman.   She married Leland Gehlhausen on October 2, 1954, having 4 children and sharing almost 47 years together before Lee’s passing in 2001.  She earned a nursing degree in 1978 and worked at Rockford Memorial Hospital, Rockford Clinic’s urology department, and Saint Francis, Inc.  She enjoyed vacation travels with Lee in their RV.  After retirement in 2004, she moved to The Villages, Florida.  She continued her love of travel with numerous cruises to many parts of the world.  Some of her favorite retirement pass-times were collecting dishes, quilting, eating at Olive Garden, and weekly “hairdo day” with her sister Flo.

Frann will be deeply missed by her family, whom she adored.  They include her 4 children, Guy (Deb), Kim, Andrea (Donald), and Jay (Lynette); 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; her siblings Jerry and Ethel; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by her husband Lee, her parents, one brother, three sisters, and her double sister-in-law and best friend Milly.

A graveside service will take place on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Arlington Memorial Park, 6202 Charles Street, Rockford, Illinois 61108. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care, 601 Mariposa Way, The Villages, FL 32162 or to Your Humane Society SPCA, 994 Co Rd 529A, Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com