FRANCES "FRAN" JOSEPHINE INGALLS RICHESIN

Frances “Fran” Josephine Ingalls Richesin, 90, of Republic, died Thursday, June 29, 2023. She was born Aug. 21, 1932, in DeRidder, La. to Herbert and Edna (Mahan) Ingalls, one of four children in the home.
She married Monty “Les” Richesin on Dec. 26, 1952, and this union had two sons, Dale and Randy. She received her bachelor’s in education and was a teacher in Missouri and Alaska, as well as a librarian. She was very proud of her cousin, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and often featured her stories during story hour at whatever library she was volunteering in.
On Sept. 17, 2002, the then First Lady, Laura Bush, honored the late Laura Ingalls Wilder with a special presentation to her surviving family, which included Fran and her siblings, Ruth, David, and John.
Richesin is preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, David Ingalls.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Lester, sons Dale Richesin and wife Takeko Simms, and Randy Richesin and wife Sandy, five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister Ruth LeDoux, brother John Ingalls, sister-in-law Dianne Ingalls, her lifelong friend from the age of 7, June Calhoun, as well as nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church Memorial Fund.
A visitation was Thursday, July 6, from 9-11 a.m. at First Christian Church in Republic. Funeral services follow at 11 a.m. She will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery.