M. Frances “Fran” Waite, 94, of Wisconsin Rapids, formerly of Exeland, Wis. area, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family in Wis Rapids. She lived a long, full life marked by kindness, resilience, and an unwavering devotion to the people she cherished.

She was born Mable Frances Teele on June 25, 1931, at Ladysmith, Wis., the daughter of Earl and Amy Teele.

She spent her early years east of Exeland, in the Town of Meadowbrook, on her parent’s farm. Her first eight years of school was at the Brunette grade school near her family farm. She went to high school in Ladysmith Wis., and her final year of high school was at Bruce High School, in Bruce, Wis.

Frances met the love of her life, Ira Waite, from Exeland, Wis., in the spring of 1950. They were married in September of 1950. In the spring of 1951 they moved to Tucson, Az., where their four children were born. In 1961 the family returned to Wisconsin, where they lived in the Bruce area, then in the town of Murry. In 1966, the family moved to Wisconsin Rapids where Ira worked at the Nekoosa Port Edwards Paper Mill until his retirement.

Frances enjoyed working in her garden and her many flower beds and watching wildlife. Frances and Ira were avid antique bottle hunters, finding many bottles and glasswares in their diggings. Over an eight-year period she researched and cataloged her family’s genealogy, with a large compilation of photos and documents, all neatly presented in a large number of 3-ring binders. Due to her work in genealogy, missing family members from out of state were able to find us and connect with her. She also loved playing and winning at cards! Both Fran and Ira were avid photographers, she loved doing still life shots of flowers.

She belonged to the Wisconsin Rapids United Methodist Church.

A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, she touched countless lives with her gentle spirit and steady wisdom. Her home was a place of comfort, laughter and a great place to gather on a weekly basis.

Survivors include; daughters, Antoinette (Dennis) Peterson of Marshfield, Jacqueline (Michael) Mason of Wisconsin Rapids, and Valerie (James) DaWalt of Waupaca, a Son, Theodore (Roxanne) Waite of Tomahawk, Wisconsin; nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ira Waite; her father, Earl Teele; Mother, Amy (Reid) Teele; her sister Doris (Bill) Pfalzgraf; sister Lucile (John) Kuchta.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Ladysmith, with Rev. Mark A. Bartlett officiating. Burial will be in Windfall Cemetery, Exeland at 2:00 P.M. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

We, the family of M. Frances Waite, would like to thank Nicole and her staff at Hilltop Grand Village, Wisconsin Rapids, for their wonderful care and compassion while caring for our mother during the almost three years that she had been there.

Last Update: Apr 08, 2026 9:15 am CDT