Imogene Ruth (Nielsen) Francis

January 30, 1929 – February 10, 2023

Imogene Ruth Francis, 94, of Stillwater, formerly of Enid and Perry, was born January 30, 1929, in Perry, Oklahoma, to Walter and Ida (Riess) Nielsen, and passed away Friday, February 10, 2023, in Stillwater.

Imogene grew up in the Great Depression era and only had three outfits, one for church and two for school. She went to Lutheran school and had many friends through her education, various jobs, and life in the local Perry Lutheran church. After graduation, she married the love of her life, Howard, on January 31, 1948. She was a devoted follower of her Lord, Jesus Christ, and loyally served as a Sunday school teacher for most of her adult life. She was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and friend who loved serving others. In addition to raising her children, Imogene loved to work and served in numerous jobs throughout her life, including shoe sales, restaurant service, and even being a singer with a western swing band! She led the way as a successful Stanley Home Products representative for decades and was always on the hunt for a good bargain.

She and Howard enjoyed entertaining in their home, and she always supported her husband in his work. Every morning, she would rise early to be sure he was well-fed and seen off with love as she waved goodbye from the front window of their home. She was a wonderful seamstress who made dresses and matching cummerbunds for the high school orchestra students, quilts and blankets for all, and beautiful Christmas stockings for her family. As an avid Oklahoma State Cowboys fan, she loved making the trip to Stillwater for football games with her family. Imogene tended to speak her mind; she would make sure that we knew right from wrong, with the Bible as her guide. She will be terribly missed, but we rest well knowing she is home with her Savior and reunited with her love.

Imogene is survived by children Diana Blunk and husband Danny, of Bartlesville, OK, and Larry Francis and wife Lisa, of Stillwater; grandchildren Howard, Buck and wife Janet, Charles, and Christopher and wife Tina; nine great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Ryan, Lacy, Abby, Molly, Brooklyn, Kenan, Cohen, and Brayton; brother Vernon Nielsen, of Santa Fe, NM; and several nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Ida Nielsen, baby daughter Joy Ann Francis, and husband Howard Roy Francis.

A Celebration of Life for Imogene will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 17, 2023, at Willow Road Christian Church, 729 W. Willow Road, Enid, OK, with Pastor Ryan Nelson officiating. Burial will follow in Grace Hill Cemetery, 500 Memorial Drive, Perry, OK, at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Imogene’s name may be made to Willow Road Christian Church with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.