Frances Lucile Stencel, 81, of McGregor, Iowa passed away Monday, October 22, 2018 at Great River Care Center in McGregor, Iowa. Her body is gone, but her spirit is in heaven with Jesus. She was born February 20, 1937 to Francis Baird and Lula Irene (Ferguson) Gunn. Frances graduated high school in Jacksonville, Illinois and continued her education at Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois and Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois, obtaining her Master’s Degree in Education.
Frances was united in marriage with John E. Stencel Jr. on June 15, 1963 in Elgin, Illinois. To this union two daughters were born. Throughout the years, Frances was an English teacher in Dundee, Illinois as well as Director of Study Skills Center and Library Head at Olney Central College in Olney, Illinois. She was a member of Journey Church in Dubuque, Iowa and First Assembly of God Church in Olney, Illinois.
In her spare time, Frances enjoyed shopping at re-sale shops and for antiques, reading, traveling and watching detective shows on TV. She was a people person and loved going out for lunch with friends. Frances was a born-again Christian who loved the Lord and has eternal life in heaven with Jesus. She was a great help mate to her husband John for 55 years and an awesome mother and grandmother.
Frances is survived by her loving husband, John Stencel Jr. of McGregor, Iowa; two daughters, Dr. Lynette Lamp-Knight (Dr. Jonathan Knight) of Winona, Minnesota and Denise Stencel-Gottfried (Jonathan Gottfried) of Woodside, California; and her granddaughters, Samantha Knight, Olivia Knight, Sophia Gottfried and Evelyn Gottfried.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Baird and Irene Gunn; and her siblings, Margaret Rabjohns, Jim Gunn and Dorothy Peura.
Visitation will be held from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Friday, October 26, 2018 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in McGregor, Iowa. There will also be a one-hour visitation before services at the church on Saturday.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Journey Church in Dubuque, Iowa with Pastor Terry Bemis as the officiant.
Additional Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with a Funeral Service at 11:00 am on Monday, October 29, 2018 at First Assembly of God Church in Olney, Illinois with Pastor Paul Goss officiating.
Burial will be held at Haven Hill Memorial Gardens in Olney, Illinois following services on Monday.