Frances Wilma Nugteren

Frances Nugteren, age 91, passed away Saturday, July 18th , at Regency Care facility in Norwalk.

Her Celebration of Life service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July, 25, 2026, at Crossroads Church of Norwalk, 2601 Border Street, Norwalk, Iowa. Visitation will be held 30 minutes before the service, from 10:30 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. Please join us for pizza and ice cream following the service.

Fran was born November 26,1934 in Chicago to Clara (Aardsma) and John Fennema. She taught at Prairie City Elementary School until her retirement. Some of her hobbies included cooking, sewing, crocheting and reading. Fran and her husband, Marv, volunteered with Wycliffe Bible Translation International for many years. In more recent years she crocheted doll blankets for the Operation Christian Child ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.

Survivors include daughters, Joan Birru (Debela) of Des Moines, Diane Hagerman (Mike) of New Virginia, Sandee Thielen (Andy) of Prole, Sharon Gumm (Jeff) of Clive, and daughter- in-law, Darla Claseman of Newton; sons, Jerry Tuinstra (Sandy) of Des Moines and Phil Nugteren of Newton; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Fran was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Marvin Nugteren; her parents, John and Clara Fennema; brothers, Jack Fennema, Dave Fennema; sister, Marian Meyer; her son, Dan Tuinstra; and her daughter, Sue Nugteren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Crossroads Fellowship – Operation Christmas Child at 1200 60th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Online condolences may be made at caldwellparrish.com.