Frances Helen Dornon (Olson)

SIOUX CITY -- Frances H. Dornon, 100, of Sioux City died Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at a local hospital.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Roger Madden officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. today at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Christy-Smith Morningside Chapel.
Frances was born Nov. 4, 1910, to Fred H. and Christina (Anderson) Olson on the family farm north of Vermillion, S.D. She attended country school through the eighth grade; she graduated from Vermillion High School in 1928. She continued her education at the University of South Dakota for one year before going to Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, Iowa. She graduated with a major in elementary education and a minor in music. Frances taught school in Union, Iowa, for four years, then she moved to Harlan, Iowa, where she taught first grade for four years. In 1938 she met and married John G. Dornon, who was also a teacher at Harlan. While her children were young, she ran the Dornon Day Care Center in Harlan. Later, she returned to teaching. Frances taught in Harlan, Camanche, Iowa, and Sioux City before retiring from teaching after 31 years.
John and Frances moved into the North Park Retirement home in 1994. John died in 1999. Frances continued to live there on the assisted living side.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, faithfully attending every Sunday. She belonged to the Anemone Circle, the United Methodist Women's group. Frances also attended a Sunday school class held at North Park Retirement.
Frances' hobbies included studying the Bible, taking pictures and movies, music, studying genealogy and traveling. Her adventurous spirit took her to the Holy Land twice and Sweden, all after she was 80 years old and alone.
Frances had a great love of life and family.
Survivors include her son, Dr. Robert F. Dornon and his wife Nancy of Bellevue, Texas; a daughter, Mary Verdi and her husband Arthur of Lafayette, Ind.; a daughter-in-law, Sharon Dornon of Sioux City; eight grandchildren, Kelly and Lance Heimsoth, Kerry and Dave Drees, Greg Dornon, Garrett and Shannon Dornon, Andrew Dornon, Austin Dornon, Chris Verdi, Kirsten and Mike Goddard. eight great-grandchildren; Maci Heimsoth, Jahni Grace Heimsoth, Emma Drees, Ellie Drees, Addie Drees, Jack Goddard, Ben Goddard and Abby Goddard.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John G.; an infant daughter; a son, John R.; two sisters, Ruby Lind and Ruth Rudd; and four brothers, Henry, Clifford, Harlan and Eldon Olson
A special thank you to the "Angels" at North Park Senior Living, Care Initiatives Hospice, the Rev. Roger Madden of First United Methodist Church and the staff at St. Luke's Orthopedic unit for all your kindness and care.
Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church or Care Initiatives Hospice.