Francella Stanchina

January 11, 1929 - November 26, 2020

NORWAY- Francella B. Stanchina age 91 of Norway, passed away Thursday, November 26, 2020 at Dickinson Co. Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain, MI. She was born on January 11, 1929 in Albany, MN the daughter of the late William and Anna (Schiffler) Rakotz. Francella graduated from Holdingford High School in 1949 and moved to Norway. She worked for Norway Gravure from 1950-53, when she married Junior E. Stanchina on October 31, 1953 at St. Mary’s Church in Norway. He preceded her in death on June 9, 1995. After getting married they moved to Chicago, where she worked for Checker Cleaners until they moved back to Norway in 1956. While Junior worked for the City of Norway, Francella worked at Aune Drug Store for over 20 years and at Holy Spirit Nursery as a cook for 3 years, before retiring. She enjoyed camping, spending time with family at their family camp, enjoyed working on crafts, liked to sew and work in her flower garden. She loved her dog Peppi and liked going for walks every day. Francella loved and lived for her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren, they were the light in her eyes and enjoyed attending all of their activities. She is survived by her sons James (Renee) Stanchina and Michael (Valerie) Stanchina; daughter Karen (Mark) Zimmerman; grandchildren Michael (Tabitha) Stanchina, Christopher (Amber) Stanchina, James (Amy) Stanchina, Jeremy (Trisha) Stanchina, Randy (Chad Syder) Zimmerman and Brad (Libby) Zimmerman; great grandchildren Dane, Olivia, Kali, Tonye, Kara, Tristan, Rocco, Emil, Emmitt, Allie and Dawson; many nieces and nephews; and all her cousins in Minnesota. Francella was preceded in death by her grandsons Bryan and Joseph Stanchina; brother Roman Rakotz; sisters-in-law Elaine Rakotz, Bernice Morin, Clarice Orler, Kate and Elizabeth Stanchina; brothers-in-law Edward and Francis Stanchina and John Orler. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, December 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Barbara’s Church in Vulcan with Fr. Timothy Ekaitis presiding. Interment will be held at the Norway Township in the spring.