Frances M. Daffer

Frances Marian Daffer passed away from this earth on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 in the care of our heavenly Father. She was 90.

Frances was born on October 8, 1934, to Claud and Lela (Mead) Knepp in Osborne County, Kansas. She was the fourth child of fifteen siblings. Frances lived with her family on a farm in Frontier County, Nebraska until age 13 when the family moved to Curtis, Nebraska. Frances graduated from the Nebraska School of Agriculture in 1953 as an honor student. Frances married Lewis Hall in 1954, and they had two sons, Stanley and Keith along with one daughter, Russet.

Frances obtained a degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse from the Mid Plains Vocational Technical School in North Platte, Nebraska. She loved being a nurse and pursued working in her profession at the McCook Community Hospital from 1972 until January 1979 and then at part-time at the Cambridge Community Hospital (now Tri Valley Health) from 1982 – 1983.

Frances married Alan Daffer on December 30, 1978, at Wilsonville, Nebraska. Her family expanded to include two stepsons, Wayne Daffer and Kevin Daffer. Frances loved her husband and family with all her heart. She worked alongside Alan as he farmed near Lebanon, Nebraska. Assisting him as he moved from one field to another, fixing many, many meals during harvest season, riding along as Alan purchased and sold cattle, gardening and canning/preserving food, running into town for replacement parts for the tractor, keeping the farm accounts to name but a few. She was a true partner to her husband. She modeled a strong work ethic, passion for family and for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Frances was an active member of the Methodist or Presbyterian churches in the communities where she lived.

Frances enjoyed traveling with Alan throughout the United States and Canada seeing many wonderful sites. Their modes of transportation included trains, buses, cars and RV’s. Her children benefitted from these trips as many of the stops along the way included visits with her children and grandchildren. Frances also enjoyed quilting, sewing and embordering. She was a masterful quilter and gifted many beautiful creations to family and friends.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Alan; brothers, Donald, James, Gene, Arnold, Lee Wayne, Jerry, and Danny Knepp; sisters, Anna Osterhoudt, Patricia Mills, and Sarah Seiler; and step-grandson, Andrew Hendrix.

Frances is survived by her son, Stanley and wife, Laura Hall of San Antonio, Texas and their daughter Brandy Hughes; son, Keith and wife, Jacky Hall of Rapid City, South Dakota, and their children, Mitch Fox and Adam Kellogg; daughter, Russet and husband, David Rogers of Fayetteville, North Carolina and their children, Austin Hambrick, Karen Canady and Brian Rogers; stepson, Wayne and wife, Kym Daffer of Leawood, Kansas, and their children, Erin and Angie Daffer; stepson, Kevin Daffer and Sharon Murray of Austin, Texas and his children, Brian and Kathryn Daffer; twelve step-great-grandchildren; brothers, Andrew Knepp of North Platte, Nebraska and Burtis Knepp and wife, Linda of North Platte, Nebraska; sisters, Ilene Stanley of Haysville, Kansas and Inez Minderman and her husband, Paul of Creighton, Nebraska; and sister-in-law, Sharon Knepp of North Platte, Nebraska as well as many nieces and nephews.

Cremation was chosen and memorial services are scheduled for 10:00 AM on Friday, November 15, 2024 at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary in Cambridge. Burial in the Indianola Cemetery will follow services.

Memorials in Frances’ name are suggested to the American Legion Auxiliary (legion-aux.org). Online condolences may be left at lockenour.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lockenour-Jones Mortuary of Cambridge.