Frances Belle Templin

Frances Belle (Colton) Templin, 97, a lifelong resident of Fond du Lac, passed away on March 8, 2022, while in the care of the loving staff at the Hospice Home of Hope, with her grandson Curtis by her side.

Frances was born on March 25, 1924, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, the daughter of Amelia (Pope) Colton and Floyd Frances Colton, for whom she was named.

Although baptized Episcopalian, early on she became a lifetime member of Church of Our Saviour, Lutheran in Fond du Lac, where she was a very active member.

She was a graduate of the class of 1942 at Goodrich High School and continued her education with business courses at Fond du Lac Vocational Tech School, which enabled her to work for several years in the Engineering Department of Wells Manufacturing in Fond du Lac. She later spent 30 years as an administrative assistant for the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home from which she retired.

On August 14, 1943, she married Vaughn Marshall “Bud” Templin. After living one year in Holland, Michigan where Bud was stationed with the US Coast Guard, she returned to Fond du Lac alone until Bud returned from his overseas service.

In 1946 Fran and Bud bought their dream home on Hopokoekau (“Glory of the Morning”) Beach, established in 1921 by the Brothertown Indian Nation on the East Shore of Lake Winnebago. Their home soon came to be well known as “Mosquito Gulch” by the sign on their garage.

Fran was always an animal lover and an owner of numerous dogs, cats, and an occasional ferret in need of healing, food or a home. Her caring passion ensured raccoons, ‘possums, stray cats and overwintering birds never went hungry and there was always access for them to her enclosed porch by the way of the always propped open door. Fran even kept a little heated shelter house in there for whoever or whatever might have the need. At times, mail carriers were surprised to find the occasional ‘possum napping on the porch! 

Fran loved to travel, visiting her children’s and grandchildren’s homes in California, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia as well as vacations to Hawaii, Spain, England, France and Mexico.

Always the “glue” holding the family together, the “Lake House” was the center of all activities and special occasions. Fran was the social director, principal cook and head roundup coordinator for all events! She will forever be a huge part of many cherished memories.

Frances was preceded in passing by her husband, Bud Templin; and by her siblings, Edith Colton (Hill), Dorothy Colton (Vera), Roderick Colton; nephew, Raoul Vera and niece Lisa Colton.

Those left to forever miss her are her three children, Pamela Templin of Fond du Lac, Edward (Kathy) Templin of Fond du Lac and Bradford (Alineh) Templin of Vienna, Virginia; grandchildren, Erik (Deanna) Berge, Dr. Sonja (Matt) Olson, Erika (Phil) Tait, Joel (Jordana) Templin, Curtis (Tracie) Templin and Derek Templin; great-grandchildren, Mason, Maxwell and Michael Templin; nieces and nephews, Charllyce “Chuckie” Hill (Dewitt), David Smith, Edith Smith (Hernandez), Diane Smith (Publitz), Joey Vera, Gary Colton, Laurie Colton (Provo), Mark (Erin) Colton, Linda Colton (Fisher), and Steve Colton.

Memorials in her name may be directed to the Fond du Lac Humane Society, 652 Triangle Road, Fond du Lac or Hospice Home of Hope, 400 County Road K, Fond du Lac, 54937.

A celebration of Fran’s Life will take place during the month of June this year. More details will follow at a later date.