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Rachel Frantsen Obituary – 11/14/2011


Rachel Frantsen, age 65, of Norwood Young America, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2011.

She was born July 23, 1946, in Austin, the daughter of Wally and Lois Seegert. Rachel attended Waconia High School.

Rachel married Bob Shanahan July 6, 1963, in Glencoe. They made their home in Norwood and together, they had four children.

Rachel was fortunate to be a full-time mom and was busy with her kids’ activities, was active in the community choir, the Harmonaires and Tonettes, enjoyed the many years spent on a bowling team, and liked meeting with her girlfriends for coffee.

On Sept. 26, 1998, she married Brad Frantsen and helped raise his son, Dustin, in Shorewood. They made a succession of moves, and for a while, owned and operated Bootleggers Bar in Mayer, where they made numerous friends. They eventually settled in Olive Branch, MS, until Brad’s unexpected passing this past September.

Rachel’s children then helped her move back to Minnesota, where she lived the last six weeks of her life until her unexpected death.

Rachel enjoyed spending time with Brad riding their Harley on cross country road trips, having many diverse friends, and always living life to the fullest.

She is survived by her children, Patty (Wayne), Mary (Jon), Rob (Hillary), TJ (Rachel), and Dustin (Dawnelle); grandchildren Nicole (Andrew), Aaron, Matthew, Marissa (Chris), Joseph, Chloe, Andrew, and Payton; and great-grandchildren Lane, Hayley, and Jordan.

Rachel is further survived by her mother-in-law, Lauretta; siblings and spouses Judy and Lee, Pudgy and Dave, Siggy, RaNaye and Chip, Debbie, Greg and Sharon, Drew and Nina, and Sue and Farmer; ex-husband and friend Bob Shanahan; nieces and nephews; and many friends.

In addition to her husband, Brad, Rachel was preceded in death by her parents, Wally and Lois; a sister, Henrietta; father-in-law Duke; and sister-in-law Jill.

Rachel was a wonderful woman and will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. Her children would like to request that each and every one of you hold your family close; life is a precious gift.

Funeral services took place Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. at Church of the Ascension in Norwood Young America, with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church.

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