Frances Ellen Pilkington

Frances Ellen Pilkington, 95, of North English, passed away on March 5, 2025, at English Valley Care Center in North English surrounded by her loving family. A visitation will be held on Monday, March 10, from 4-7 PM at Powell Funeral Home in North English, with a vigil service at 4:00 pm. Her funeral service will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 11, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in North English.

Frances was born in Iowa County on November 16, 1929, to John Edward and Maude Iris (Henry) VanDee. She attended Bunker Hill County School and graduated from Thornburg High School in 1947. In April of 1948, she married Lloyd A. Pilkington at Armah Immaculate Conception Church. They lived on, and worked Lloyd’s grandpa’s farm near What Cheer for 11 years. In 1959, they purchased a farm near North English where they both spent the rest of their lives. Frances, who was raised with brothers and a hired hand, knew very little about farming, but she learned fast! Lloyd kept her busy milking cows and caring for baby pigs and chickens. Fran soon learned to drive a tractor. She mastered all field jobs except planting. (Her rows were never quite straight enough for Lloyd.)

Frances enjoyed working with 4H, Boy and Girl Scouts, and was on many committees in the church and community. For 30 years, she worked as an election officer. She was secretary of Altar and Rosary at St Joseph’s Catholic Church for 35 years. She also was active in several neighborhood and friends’ clubs including Red Hats. Fran had a way of getting that perfect head tilt and smile while taking school pictures for over 30 years for Evan’s Photography, then later, Lifetouch. Fran and her family were summer “River Rats” spending every weekend boating and skiing on the Mississippi with friends. She and Lloyd enjoyed many winter Caribbean cruises with those same friends.

Fran took great pride in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially enjoyed their music concerts and sporting events. Her “Happy Place” was at the ballpark where she kept detailed score books for them. Fran was a wonderful cook. She loved planning and preparing delicious meals for family and friends. She had a special talent of baking and decorating cakes. Her wedding and birthday cakes were master pieces. Fran was also an accomplished seamstress spending countless hours in her sewing room, creating, mending, and altering. She could make “riches out of rags”.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers, Fred, Bob, Pat, and Joseph in infancy, a sister, Barb, and a daughter in law, Betsy.

Fran is survived by her children, Gary Pilkington of North English, Ronda (Dave) Heck of Marengo, and Randy (Treese) Pilkington of Waterloo; her 7 grandchildren, Hayley (Cory) Yearian, Sonya (Danny) Maas, Anne (Brad) Montana, John (Bhavana) Pilkington, Mary (Jason) Less, Wesley, (Sarah) Pilkington, and Abby (Adam) Soles: and 16 great-grandchildren, Bryce, Jenna, Jordyn, Dakota, and Colton Yearian, Leighton and Easton Maas, Owen and Lauren Montana, Jacob, Ryan, and Anna Pilkington, Anna and Lily Less, and Tatum and Rooney Soles.

Our family would like to thank the staff at English Valley Care Center and Essence of Hope Hospice in Amana for the kind and loving care they showed our mom in the last two months of her life.

Powell Funeral Home in North English is caring for Frances and her family. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a contribution to the English Valley Scholarship Fund or Essence of Life Hospice in Frances’s honor.