Rosalea Frances (Livingston) Munson, 29 Aug 1938-25 Aug 2024

MUNSON, LIVINGSTON, ROBERTS, BOIS, LANINGHAM, LIBBY, VAN METER, POTTS, WEEKLY, KLEVER, STANGLAND, FREEMAN, HULGAN, DOEHRMANN

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 9/4/2024 at 14:49:41

Rosalea Frances “Fran” Munson was born August 28, 1938, in Williamsburg, the daughter of Ed and Thelma (Roberts) Livingston. She graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1956. Fran was united in marriage to David Munson on February 7, 1959. To this union they were blessed with four children, Pam, Dick, Sheila and Christina. Together they owned and operated the Dinner Bell Café and Lounge, opening in July of 1966. Fran and Dave divorced in 1980. She continued to operate The Dinner Bell for close to 40 years.

After retiring from the restaurant in 2000, she took a year off to relax and start doing things she always wanted to do, like taking a three week vacation with her family to California. She also started playing golf again. Her biggest passion was walking. Fran could be seen every morning and evening walking to and from work no matter the weather or on her 5 miles a day circle around town. Fran decided relaxing wasn’t her thing, at least not quite yet. She went to work for Monsanto for the next 8 years, making many new friends along the way.

In the earlier years Fran enjoyed the summer trips to Colorado, camping and boating with the family. She was an avid bowler and traveled the country for National bowling tournaments with many friends over the years. The most important thing in Fran’s life was her family. Her children, grandchildren and great granddaughters have been the biggest joy in her life.

Fran passed away at the age of 85 years, on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at the English Valley Care Center with her daughters by her side.

She is survived by her daughters, Pam Boies (Doug Laningham) of Williamsburg, Sheila Munson of Normal, IL and Christina (Dana) Libby of LeClaire; six grandchildren, Elizabeth (Drew) Van Meter & their daughters Caroline & Adaline, Grant Boies, Stephanie (Adam) Potts & their daughter Hadlee, Alex Munson, Hayden Libby and Weston Libby; a brother, Tom (Diane) Livingston of North Liberty and a sister-in-law Mary Livingston of Williamsburg. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and her dearest friends Gloria Palmer, Kay Trimpe and the 5-10 Club ladies.

She is preceded in death by her parents, son Dick Munson, brother Garth Livingston, nephew Doug Livingston, half siblings, Dean Livingston, Eugene Livingston, Iola Weekly, Leona Klever, Joyce Stangland, Melvin Livingston, Bruce Freeman, Dorothy Hulgan and Jean Doehrmann.

A celebration of life gathering will be Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Stone Creek Golf Course in Williamsburg. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for the English Valley Care Center or Essence of Life Hospice.

Published in The Hometown Current on September 4, 2024.