Frances “Fran” Mesken

Frances “Fran” Mesken passed away on October 15, 2024. She was 100 years old.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Ida Mesken, and her siblings (and their spouses): Mildred (Alex) Levinstein, Katherine (Sidney) Usow, Bernice Mesken, Bess (Allen) Sverdlin and Charles (Lorraine) Mesken.

Fran is survived by her nephew, Jeffrey Usow (Jan Bartoszek), and great niece, Sophia Usow; her niece, Nancy Levinstein; and other loving relatives.

Fran was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she trained to be a nurse.  She worked as a hospital nurse in Los Angeles, California, New York, NY and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Fran proudly served as a nurse in the US Army, as a first lieutenant at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, from 1953 until 1956, and then, as a Captain at Fort Carson, CO, in 1961 and 1962.  Following her service in military, Fran worked as an industrial nurse at Union Carbide Corp in Chicago, Illinois from the early 1960s through her retirement.

  After retiring, she moved back to Milwaukee and moved in with her sister, Bernice, with whom she was very close.

If desired, memorials may be sent in Fran’s memory to the USO to help support service members and their families. Donate online by clicking the following link:  https://www.uso.org/donate/donate-in-honor

The family thanks Chai Point and Ovation Jewish Home for their care of Fran through her centenary. Fran was a strong, intelligent, independent woman with a sharp wit. She was a talented nurse and attentive care giver to others. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. May she rest in peace.