Frances “Fran” Hargis

Frances "Fran" Hargis died February 10, 2017 after living her entire 89 years in Topeka. The eldest daughter of Margaret and John Boley, she was raised on a farm and went to country schools her first eight grades. She graduated valedictorian of her high school class at Washburn Rural High School in 1945 and remained close to many of her classmates throughout her life. Turning down the full scholarship to Washburn University that she won for academic achievement, she went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad for several years. In 1949 she married Richard "Dick" Hargis in Topeka, a young sailor back from the war, and soon they bought a new house in the suburbs and became parents to one daughter, three sons, and a variety of pets.

In addition to being a full-time homemaker, Fran shouldered most of the child-rearing and pet care duties, as Dick was frequently away from home as a City of Topeka firefighter. She always made sure her children studied hard and did their homework, practiced their music lessons, attended swimming lessons, participated in Girl and Boy Scouts activities, went often to the library, church and choir practice, brushed their teeth and said their prayers. This was all accomplished with Fran chauffeuring the family around in an old car, including one bullet-nosed Studebaker that had no reverse gear that Dick had acquired.

Fran enjoyed people and was always friendly, participating in a bowling league for thirty-five years, in the Firefighters Ladies Auxiliary for many years, and serving as president of the children's grade school Parent Teacher Association. She was an avid reader and great cook, with lots of canning and freezing of her own food as she had learned on the farm. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and the Crusaders Sunday School class, serving as the first woman trustee at the church. She taught Sunday School, Bible School, and served on numerous committees.

When she decided to work outside the home part-time she first took up selling Avon, but really expanded her kingdom when she became a Tupperware dealer. With Tupperware she met many new people and her friendliness, energy, and natural sales ability assured that she became a huge success, eventually even a manager of other Tupperware dealers. She attended many national Tupperware conventions and enjoyed them all, as otherwise she seldom left Topeka. The family home, meanwhile, became overrun with Tupperware, a standing joke among the children. Her Tupperware career lasted thirteen years. At age 50, Fran obtained her real estate license and sold for Century 21 for twelve years before retiring, achieving Salesperson of the Year for Century 21 in 1983. She also tutored elementary students.

When her second child Allen suffered severe permanent injuries in a bike/car accident, Fran took over his care, learning Braille herself to help Allen return to school and eventually graduate, while Dick worked three jobs to pay the medical bills. Many marriages would not have survived the strain of a handicapped child, but Fran and Dick were loving compassionate people who cared deeply for each other and their children. Dick would gently tease Fran about her shopping, her gossiping, and her casino trips. She would rescue him from the out-of-date clothes he frugally wore, whether he wanted to be rescued or not. They took one trip to Mexico City together (where Dick dutifully carried Fran's heavy purse) and one to Germany together with the Topeka German-American Club, as well as trips to visit relatives in Hawaii, Colorado, and Wisconsin. They were truly life partners, loving and supporting each other until Dick's death in 2011 after 62 years of marriage.

Fran also cared for her maiden aunt and helped care for three of Dick's maiden aunts during their final years, not an easy task.

During all of this, Fran loved to shop, especially for bargains. She bought everybody socks and underwear for Christmas and they usually also received some strange gift, along with the history of where it was purchased, how much it cost, and how it was on sale and couldn't be passed up. This became another standing joke amongst the family, as did her excessive taking of photographs, especially of her grandson Nathan. Once in Mexico City when a famous church was closed, she even took a photo through the keyhole, or tried to. At the time of her death she had amassed forty photo albums, not counting the ones she had given to all of her family members. Fran also never left home without a clean hanky (not a disposable tissue) and a plastic rain bonnet in a pocket or her purse, to protect the once-a-week wash and set hairdo so prevalent with the women of her generation.

She also oversaw a multitude of pets during her lifetime, encouraging the various cats, dogs, parakeets, baby sparrows, bunnies, and even a pet white mouse, to share in the family's life.

Fran is survived by her children Ruth Maus, Arnold "Archie" Hargis, and Sam Hargis (Carla Adkins) all of Topeka, grandson Nathan Hargis of Kansas City, Kansas, brothers Louis Boley (Juanita) of Salina, and Bernard Joe Boley (Theresa) of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, a sister-in-law Gladys Hargis, Topeka, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Richard, son Allen, her brother Thomas Boley, and cousin Ralph Comiskey, who she considered another brother.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Topeka on Monday, February 20th at 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be sent to Positive Connections (2044 SW Fillmore, Topeka 66604), Grace United Methodist Church (2627 SW Western, Topeka 66611), or Helping Hands Humane Society (5720 SW 21st St., Topeka 66604.)

The family wishes to extend our thanks to the staff of Brookdale of Topeka for the loving care she received there her final two years, and to Grace Hospice for their excellent support and care. Finally thank you to all who were Fran's friends, colleagues, and neighbors, participating in and sharing the life of this beautiful, wise, silly, loving, fearless woman.