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In memory of

Frances “Franny” Mandziara

Madison, FL, USA

May 24, 1919 - July 27, 2018

May 24, 1919 - Jul 27, 2018

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Frances “Franny” Mandziara, 99, passed away on July 27, 2018 in Madison, FL. She was born to Michael and Johanna (Milanowski) Fabish on May 24, 1919 in Stevens Point, WI. She was the youngest of six children. In 1933, at the tender age of 14, Franny lost her mother due to double pnuemonia. She missed her mother dearly and proclaimed that Mrs. Johanna was the most beautiful woman in the world throughout her lifetime. Her eldest sister Mary assumed the role of mother figure, a task for which Franny was eternally grateful and spoke of often. She and her siblings had to learn survival skills quickly in order to make it through the the Great Depression of the 1930s. In spite of their hardships, Franny maintained a positive outlook and relayed many fond memories of her childhood. She fell in love with Joe Mandziara, a talented concertinist, at a polka dance in Wisconsin and they married on November 14, 1939 in Junction City, WI. They moved to Madison, FL in 1948 with their three children, Darlene (8), Ron (6), and Duane (4). Franny worked at Owens-Illinois (the "bag-plant") in Clyattville, GA for 26 years.

Franny was a devoted wife, sister, mother, a loving grandmother, and a proud great-grandmother. She will be remembered for her contagious laughter, mischievous sense of humor, and her delicious cooking (especially her famous dill pickles, fruit cake, apple pie, golumpkis, and boiled peanuts). In her youth she loved dancing the polka and driving sporty red cars. Even as the years took their toll, she couldn't stop smiling and tapping her toes when she heard her favorite happy tunes. We will miss our daily afternoon chats over a good cup of coffee and her beautiful grin.

Franny was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings (Mary, Joe, Helen, William, and Florence), her husband, Joe, of 56 years, and her daughter Darlene. She is survived by her devoted son Ron Mandziara and beloved daughter-in-law Ori of Madison, FL; her youngest son Duane Mandziara and his wife Regina of Lake City, FL; four grandchildren Cheri (Robert) and Michelle (David) of Madison, FL, Roy and Samantha of Lake City, FL; one great-grandchild, Lilyan; as well as extended family in Wisconsin. A private graveside service was held at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Madison, Florida.

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From Franny’s Grandaughters, Cheri and Michelle:
Franny has always been a big part of our lives. Growing up, we enjoyed …

From Franny’s Grandaughters, Cheri and Michelle:
Franny has always been a big part of our lives. Gro…

From Franny’s Grandaughters, Cheri and Michelle:
Franny has alway…

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