Frances Irene Criswell, 89

Frances Irene Criswell, our beloved mother and grandmother, went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 89 on Feb. 11, 2015.

Frances was born Sept. 29, 1925, in Santa Cruz, Calif., and was raised in Tranquility, Calif., where she attended grade school. Then her family moved to Tracy, Calif., where she finished high school in 1943.

After school, Fran moved to Fresno where she started her 37-year career as a bookkeeper for McMahan's Furniture Store. Fran retired from McMahan's in 1987.

While in Fresno, Fran met the love of her life, a handsome sailor named Bert Criswell. They were married on Jan. 11, 1951, and raised their only child, Michael.

Bert and Fran enjoyed being involved in the Cub Scouts with Michael. Fran also spent time with her family camping, fishing, hunting, and digging for clams (Fran made the best clam chowder you ever had!). They loved to go to Avila Beach, Calif., and spent many weekends working and playing at their cabin on Bass Lake, Calif.

Fran loved to travel as well, and saw much of the world while traveling with either Bert or her treasured sister Marie. She visited Europe, the Panama Canal, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada and much of the United States. After her husband Bert passed away in 1992, Fran moved to Coeur d'Alene soon after to be close to her son Mike, daughter-in-law Jeannie, and family.

Truly, Fran's best times were spent with her family. She was a mother to both Michael and his wife Jeannie; grandmother to Kareen, Paul and Nathan; and great-grandmother to Samantha, Gregory and Brogan.

Mike and Jeannie were a huge part of Fran's life, as she was theirs. They did most things together and enjoyed outwitting each other's humor. Jeannie was a precious "daughter" and friend to Fran, and both were a great blessing and comfort to each other.

Fran also loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kareen and Paul spent every summer of their childhood with grandparents Fran and Bert at their house in Fresno; while Nathan, as the youngest grandchild, had the privilege of spending special time with his grandma Fran after grandpa passed. Fran loved to attend all of her great-grandchildren's games, events, and celebrations, and found great joy in all their lives.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, James and Mattie Goodrich; her husband Bert Criswell; and her sister, Marie Francis. She leaves behind her only child, Michael Criswell, daughter-in-law Jeannie Criswell, three grandchildren - Kareen Link (Greg), Paul Criswell and Nathan Criswell; three great-grandchildren - Samantha Link, Gregory Link and Brogan Link; nephew Jimmy Francis (Leslie) and family and niece Kathy Anderson (Gary) and family.

There will be a Celebration of Life service at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, at Dalton Gardens Church of Christ.

All memorial contributions can be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in support of her great-grandson at cff.org, or to Dalton Gardens Church of Christ.

English Funeral Chapel of Post Falls has been entrusted to handle final arrangements. Please visit Fran's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.