We are saddened to announce the passing of Frances Kepes, of Rainycrest Long-Term Care Home in Fort Frances, Ont., on Monday, April 23, 2018 at the age of 87.
Frances Marosi was born in Kislod, Hungary in 1931 to Johan and Elizabeth. She was an only child as her father and infant brother passed while she was very young.
After the war, in 1948, she was united in marriage to Wenzel Kepes. Shortly after their marriage, the young couple was deported from Hungary to East Germany and promptly escaped to West Germany, where they were able to immigrate to Canada to begin a new life.
Frances worked alongside her husband in area bush camps in order to earn enough money to purchase a farm in Barwick, Ont., where they resided until 1976 when they retired and moved to Fort Frances.
In addition to life on the farm, Frances worked at various jobs in the area, including Barwick Peat Services, the Rainy Lake Hotel, and the Red Dog Inn.
Frances enjoyed life on the farm and was a great gardener–the massive garden on the farm, and later in Fort Frances, always provided plentiful bounty.
Frances also was a great cook. Her baking and cooking skills were excellent, and family and friends always were encouraged to partake. Whether cooking for a massive group of local farmers after a “thrashing” day or just for family and friends, Frances enjoyed cooking–and the companionship.
While living on the farm, Wenzel and Frances made many life-long friendships.
Frances was predeceased by her husband, Wenzel; father, Johan and mother, Elizabeth; an infant brother at birth; stepfather, Erich Freudenberger; and son-in-law, Munroe Plumridge.
She is survived by her sons, Robert (Suzie) Kepes and John (Angela) Kepes, all of Thunder Bay, Ont., and daughter, Betty Plumridge, of Fort Frances, Ont.
Also surviving are her grandsons, Mark (Angela) Kepes of Halifax, N.S. and Kevin Plumridge of Thunder Bay, Ont.
A funeral mass will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances, with Fr. Alan Albao officiating.
Interment will take place at the Chapple Cemetery in Barwick at a later date.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Riverside Foundation for Health Care, St. Mary’s Church, or a charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
FRANCES KEPES
