Francene Lowery passed away on October the 18th, just two days prior to her 90th birthday. Francene was born on October 20,1933 to William Lester (Tom) Monk and Winnie Gladys (Essary) Monk in Roswell New Mexico. She met the love of her life Charles James Lowery, and they were married in Sudan, Texas in 1949. All four of their children, Dale, Dalton, Jerry and Diane were born in Texas. In 1960 they moved to Fallon, Nevada with hopes of buying a ranch. The family had several moves early on and spent time in Fallon and Beatty, Nevada and Texas.
Francene and Charles were very close and always did what they thought best for the family; and life was always an adventure. From 1969 to 1972, while living in Beatty, they took on ownership of the Texaco station and Francene was head of finance and the bookkeeper. They also built a house in Beatty. In 1972 they bought the ranch they always wanted in Middlegate, some 45 miles east of Fallon. In 2002 Charles passed away. Francene and Charles were married 53 years and got to spend 20 years on the ranch they had always wanted before Charles’ passing.
There were a few times she worked outside the home, but for the most part was home raising the children and was always cooking. She was such a good cook that she could have opened a restaurant at Middlegate. People for miles around would stop in to visit and always got a meal or coffee.
Francene and Charles also raised a large garden which allowed her and the extended family to can vegetables every year. Francene was there as a rancher’s wife doing whatever was necessary to take care of the livestock, alfalfa, cooking and gardening. She loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her family.
After Charles passed, she sold the ranch and moved into Fallon. She was there for the past 20 years. Francene served as a volunteer for many years at the Banner Hospital and helped at the senior center in Fallon.
Francene was a strong woman who dealt with long term results of Covid in 2022 and more recently the effects of cancer treatments. She was a person of strong faith, and member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Fallon. We are sure she is in the Lord’s hands and has joined Charles Lowery at that ranch in heaven.
Francene was the second oldest of eleven children, and preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Charles O’Connor, brothers Howard, Charles, Lester, Tommy, and Jimmie O’Connor. Francene is also survived by her sister Cleta Monk Rudolph (Richard deceased), Janie Patrick (Alex deceased), Marla Riley (Tom diseased) and sisters-in-law Linda Monk and Rayma O’Connor. She is survived by brothers Michael O’Connor (Linda) and Patrick O’Connor (Theresa).
Francene is survived by her sons Dale (Jacque), Dalton (Debbie), Jerry (Patricia) and daughter Diane Greeley (Edward deceased); eight grandchildren, Waylon Lowery, Nathan Lowery, Gayle Valdes (William), Holly Richardson (Carl), Erin Baerwaldt (Dan), Marsha Rice Lowery (Travis), Benjamin Woods (Katie), Jacob Lowery (Amanda), and 24 great grandchildren.
Services will be held on Monday, October30th, 1:00PM at The Gardens Funeral Home, 2949 Austin Hwy, Fallon, NV.