Fran Oeltjendiers

Frances "Fran" R. Huebel Oeltjendiers was born in Smithville, TX to mother Ella Matilda Jakobeit and her father and personal hero Alfred Huebel. One of three children raised in Smithville, TX, she was so proud to be her dad's sidekick at Huebel's, his Depression-era gas station and garage, where she learned the art of dominos, the value of community and hard work. She passed away on Monday - October 01, 2018.  Marrying Elo Oeltjendiers right after high school, they moved to Dallas and later made their home in DeSoto where they were devoted to raising their only daughter, Kathie, and the many, many poodles and Boston Terriers that scampered in and out of their lives through the years. Fran helped support her family with a 22-year career as an insurance company secretary and later with 14 years as a classified ads editor at The Dallas Morning News before retiring in 1992. An avid reader and writer, she was a lifelong student of the world yet she most loved annual road trips exploring amazing America with Elo, close friends or her greatly loved Aunt Mimi.  Fiercely independent and proud of her rebellious streak, Fran never let anyone pull the wool over her eyes. She had an uncanny memory of the minute details of her life's conversations, experiences, and family ancestry. In earlier years, Fran had a blast teaching her grandkids how to count, strategize and appreciate the value of everything earned and lost during competitive games of penny blackjack. She was a unique individual who valued her privacy, lived by a very specific code of honor, and insisted she wasn't a pessimist, but a realist. While unsure if the following was authored by her or someone she admired, her writings from the 1980s included more than a few that summed her up pretty well, including: "Leave me alone today! I'm an entity and am enjoying every minute of it." and, "Time is running out! Would you please hide my "clock of life" - I have a few more things to do!"  Predeceased by her parents, siblings, husband and daughter, Fran leaves Snowball - the wise and soulful chihuahua who was the last 4-legged buddy rescued by daughter, Kathie, as a companion to Elo when he moved to assisted living in 2004. She also leaves grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family and friends to remember her. At Fran's request, there will be no service, viewing or visitation.  She will be laid to rest privately in Laurel Land Memorial Park in Dallas, TX.  If you choose to honor her memory, please do so to your favorite local dog rescue organization or New Hope Hospice Care, Bedford, TX.