DOLLI M. FRANCIS
October 11, 1916 – October 27, 2017
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Dolli M. Francis
Dolli Marie Francis passed away peacefully at her home in Napa, California, on October 27, 2017. Dolli was born on October 11, 1916, in New Glarus, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Marie and Fred Haldiman, and granddaughter of Susanna (Schmid) and Mathias Marty of Mount Vernon, Wisconsin.
Dolli graduated from New Glarus High School, class of 1934, and from Groves-Barnhart Business School in Madison. In April 1941, she married Leo H. Francis of Albany, Wisconsin, and shortly thereafter the couple moved to Akron, Ohio, where both were employed by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. In 1948, they relocated to Appleton, Wisconsin, and in 1962, the family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where Dolli was employed by Harcourt, Brace & World publishing company for several years.
Dolli was actively involved in the Methodist Church and other community activities in Appleton, Wisconsin, and Millbrae, California. She was a member of P.E.O., a philanthropic educational organization, a member of the United Methodist Church in Napa, and a Life Member of the Order of Eastern Star.
Dolli loved playing golf and encouraging three generations of golfers in her family. For many years, she and Leo were members of Silverado Country Club in Napa, where Dolli played regularly with Leo and the Silverado Ladies Group.
Dolli was the loving mother of two daughters, Vicki Bowman (Hermiston, Oregon), and Lizbeth (Libbi) Francis (Napa, California). She is also survived by her grandson, Scott Bowman and his wife, Jessica; her grandson, Bradley Bowman and his wife, Amanda; and two great grandsons, Maxwell and Spencer Bowman, all of Everett, Washington. Despite the family's move to California, Dolli remained close to and enjoyed many return visits to Green County to spend time with her sisters Pearle Kittelsen (Monroe), Delma Phillipson (New Glarus), and her sister-in-law, Ruth Strickler (New Glarus).
Dolli will be laid to rest privately, next to Leo in the New Glarus Swiss Church Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Dolli may be made to Collabria Hospice, 414 South Jefferson Street, Napa, CA 94559, whose kind and capable staff provided support and assistance to Dolli and her family.
Vicki and Libbi also wish to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Aegis of Napa for their loving care of Dolli and for making her eleven years with them so very happy and fulfilling.
An online memorial with guestbook is available at http://www.bealfuneralhomes.com.
