Francine M. Kean

Francine M. Kean, 74, of Cheyenne, Wyoming passed away November 3, 2022, at Davis Hospice Center surrounded by her loving family.  Francine was born March 9, 1948, in Dodge City, Kansas, a daughter of the late William A. and Helen M. (Lix) Bleumer.  Francine married Richard Kean, Jr. on December 26, 1970, in Wright, Kansas. They moved to Cheyenne in 1973.

Francine earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine arts from Mount Saint Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas. After teaching grade school, high school, and community art classes, Fran became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in 1988. As the first certified lactation consultant in Cheyenne and a long-time La Leche League leader, she supported hundreds of mothers with breastfeeding and took special joy in mentoring her daughters-in-law when her grandchildren were born.

Fran, known affectionately as “Franma,” dedicated her life to being a mother, grandmother, and nurturer of people and nature. She loved to create and ignited creative passion in her children and grandchildren. Franma’s art—from doodles on letters to framed collages on each of her grandchildren’s bedroom walls—is beloved. Fran’s home was always alive with cooking and art making, and her farming roots were evident in her love of gardening. There was no such thing as a bad meal at Franma’s. Her quick-witted humor kept everyone on their toes.

Fran lived her faith in pursuit of social justice and fostering community. She volunteered with JustCaring and St. Joseph’s Food Pantry. Fran also served as an election judge for many years and supported and enjoyed The Cheyenne Little Theatre and Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra.  She was always reading a book and enjoyed her book club and being a life-long learner.

Francine is survived by her husband of almost 52 years, Richard “Dick” Kean of Cheyenne; sons, Kelsey (Nicole) Kean of Cheyenne, Erik (Kathryn) Kean of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and Alex (Beth) Kean of Laramie, Wyoming; daughter, Natalie Kean (Adam Watkins) of Alexandria, Virginia; eight grandchildren, Annika, Ainsley, Kaden, Amelia, Lindsey, Adeline, Nathan, and Charlotte; sister, Karen (Darrell) Steiner of Overland Park, Kansas; brothers, Farrel (Mary Ellen) Bleumer of Ingalls, Kansas, and Maurice (Judy) Bleumer of Wright, Kansas; brother-in-law, Jim (Nancy) Kean of Noblesville, Indiana; sisters-in-law, Mary Margaret Kean and Chris Kean of Atchison, Kansas; and 10 nieces and nephews.   

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Schrader, Aragon, and Jacoby Funeral Home with a Vigil for the Deceased to follow at 7:00 p.m.  A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Mary with a lunch reception to follow in Hartmann Hall.  A private inurnment will follow at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations for a Bluetooth Hearing Aid Assist System for the Cathedral of St. Mary, St. Mary’s School Foundation, or the Paul Smith Children’s Village at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens in Francine’s name.

Condolences may be made to the family on-line at www.schradercares.com.

Services are entrusted to Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home, 2222 Russell Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001.