Frances Elizabeth (Smith) Raymer, age 93, passed away peacefully at Maplewood Nursing Home, Sauk Prairie on Tuesday, June 7, 2022; where she made it home for the last 2 ½  years; there she was dubbed the "Mayor of Maplewood".  She made it a point to greet all new residents and to check on those that could not leave their rooms.  Fran had many special friends at Maplewood.

Fran was born in Duluth, MN on Nov. 13, 1928 to the late Edgar O. and Kathryn (Newcomb) Smith.  She met the love of her life in high school when she was the art editor of their high school yearbook.  Louis walked into the room late for his appointment with Fran to design the inside cover of the yearbook.  She went home and told her mom that she met the man she was going to marry.  Fran and Louis were married on Dec. 20 ^th , 1948; he preceded her in death on Nov. 1, 2016.

In the early 50's they moved to Edina, MN. where Fran was a fulltime housewife and mother.  However, she spent hours doing volunteer work for the Minneapolis General Hospital and being a Cub Scout Leader.  She enjoyed acting and doing set work for the Edina Community Theatre and teaching Sunday School at St. Alban's Episcopal Church.  They later moved to Yellow Lake in Webster, WI where Fran loved spending time rowing her boat around the lake and taking bicycle trips on the Munger Trail with Louis.  Our family had many holiday gatherings at the home on the lake where she loved to cook for everyone.  One of everyone's favorites was her famous sandwich loaf.  Fran was the glue that held the family together.

They later moved back to Minneapolis where she worked at Nyes Resteraunt until she was 80 years old.  Fran was so photogenic that they always used her for the face of their advertisement campaign.  She was even featured in the Minneapolis Magazine.  Fran enjoyed walking and never would walk less than 5 miles per day up until she was 88.

Fran is survived by her 4 children, Steve (Jeanne) Raymer, Rindy (Robert) Patton, Fletcher and Jerry Raymer;  6 grandchildren, Brett (Rebecca) Karns, Heather Goode, Elizabeth Raymer, Gretchen Raymer, Max Raymer, Joseph Raymer and 6 great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, Louis; she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Julia Raymer; and her younger brother, Tom Smith.

Fran's family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all of the Nurses, CNA's and the entire staff at Maplewood for their compassionate care over the last 2 ½ years; and a very special thank you to Kevin at Agrace Hospice with whom mom had an enduring friendship with while serving as "Mayor of Maplewood".

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Agrace Hospice, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711.

Online condolences may be made at hooversonfuneralhomes.com