Frances M. Roller

Frances Marie Roller, age 98, of Ottawa, KS, passed away on October 5, 2023, at Wellsville Retirement Community.  She was born on January 3, 1925 in Tescott, KS, daughter of Minnie Mae (Kiehle) and Gilford Diamond.  She attended schools in Grandview, MO, and Williamsburg, KS.  She married Donald E. McFarland on February 6, 1943. They had one child, Diane J. McFarland, in 1951. Don passed away May 29, 1973. She later married LaVern Roller on Dec 21, 1979 and they were happily married for 42 years. Vern Passed away July 20, 2021.

Frances had several careers—she worked at Bennett creamery, Woolworths, Albrights as a sales clerk, and Hubbard Lumber as their book keeper. One of her great accomplishments in life was to help in the war effort during World War II by working for Sunflower Ordnance Company.

She was a member of North Baptist church, where she taught Sunday school for many years.  She also attended Cavalry Baptist church.

She was a member of the Ottawa quilters guild, and Ransom Memorial hospital auxiliary.

From the time they got married, Frances and Vern enjoyed their time camping together. They were long-time members of the Night Crawlers camping club and Chippewa Good Sams camping group. Together they loved to travel and take bus tours, including to British Columbia and other locations.

One of her pleasures in life was sewing and quilting for her family. It gave her great enjoyment to be able to make each one of her grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great grandkids quilts and many other things.  She also loved sewing and making things for other family and friends. Frances loved to cook!  It gave her so much joy to bake and cook, not only for family, but for everyone.  It didn’t matter if you were hungry or not, at Frances’ house you were eating.

Frances also spent time working on her genealogy and family history. She loved being able to trace her family roots knowing it would be passed down for generations.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don McFarland, husband Vern Roller, sisters Evelyn Griffen, Virginia Ward, Grace Meeks, May Poole, Myrtle Haas, and brother Gilford Diamond jr.

She is survived by her daughter Diane Palmer, brother David Diamond, granddaughter Carol Hutabarat (Anthony), grandson Gary Slifer, great granddaughter Katelynn Hoyt (Tyler), grandsons Noah Hutabarat (Carolyn), and Rivers Slifer, great-great grandchildren Grayson and Caroline Hoyt, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Lamb- Roberts-Price Funeral Home, 325 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS. A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. prior to the service.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hope House or North Baptist Church and sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067.

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