The Life of F FRANCINE BACHMAN
F. Francine (Fran) Bachman, 78, of Urbandale, Iowa, died at Kavanagh House Hospice on Thursday, January 27, 2011, after a battle with health issues. Funeral services will be held at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at 12 p.m. Visitation, with family present, will be one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.
Fran was born on August 31, 1932, in Knoxville, Iowa, the daughter of Flavis L. and Edna M. Bachman. She graduated from Dallas High School as Valedictorian and Senior Class President. She continued on to Drake University where she studied accounting. She also studied Principles of Cash Management with the First National Bank of Chicago. She completed the American Management Association Cash Management program and pursued additional financial management studies through The Institute of Financial Education in Chicago.
Fran was employed in the accounting field as an accountant. At that time, many employers were seeking to provide opportunities for women to fill more responsible positions. Employers recognized that the shortage of high quality management could be met only through promotions to managerial jobs based exclusively on ability, without regard to sex or race. Fran very readily accepted this challenge and continued necessary studies in order to meet the challenge.
Fran became Financial Reporting Manager of the North American Operations of Massy Ferguson in 1974, and she was the first woman to achieve management designation at M.F. She retired in 1996 as Corporate Vice President and Controller of Dunn and Company.
She held past memberships in the National Association of Accountants and the American Administrative Society.
Fran loved music and after she retired, she wanted to learn to play the organ. She took lessons for several years and enjoyed playing for family and friends. Another interest was traveling, and she enjoyed visiting many foreign countries and most of the States.
She was intelligent, warm, kind, and compassionate – an extraordinary woman who lived her life with integrity and personal strength. She will be remembered by her family and close friends as a warm person with good humor, and an inspiration to all.
In 1970, due to serious health issues with both of her parents, Fran moved her parents into her home and accepted caregiver responsibilities for ten years. She always remarked that this was likely her highest achievement. It was both a difficult duty as well as a loving responsibility.
She is survived by two brothers, Darroll L. (Evelyn) Bachman of Knoxville, Iowa, and Marvin E. Bachman of Kalamazoo, MI; many well loved nieces and nephews; and friends of many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Donal and Clayton.
Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society.