HURLEY, Wis. – Frances M. Hoeft-Charbonneau, 92, of Hurley, passed away peacefully Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.

Frances was born on Sept. 28, 1920, in Ironwood, Mich., the daughter of Polish immigrants, Anton and Antonia (Czalpinska) Skowronski.

She married Julius A. Hoeft in 1947. He preceded her in death.

In 1963, Frances married Joseph Charbonneau. He preceded her in death.

She was a wonderful homemaker. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Frances always had a kind word for everyone. She was extremely generous with her time and talents, cooking for shut-ins and offering her services to those who needed help in any way.

In her younger days, Frances worked at the Grand View Hospital in the cafeteria. After raising her children, she worked for 25 years painting signs for the Iron County Forestry. She retired at age 90.

Frances is survived by four children, Julann (Keith) Cramblit, Ironwood, Albert Hoeft, Hurley, Paula (Peter) Petranek, Bessemer, Mich., and Joseph (Paula) Charbonneau, McMillan, Mich.; five grandchildren, Ron (Cathy) Tankka, Nichole (Shad) Doney and Mary (Dean) Gerlach, all of Ironwood, Jason Petranek, Chicago, and Emily Charbonneau, McMillan; a great-grandson, Tyler Tankka, Ironwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Jerry and Roger Hoeft; five Skowronski brothers, Stanley (Anne), Ironwood, Aloysius, Milwaukee, and Chester, John (Celia) and Leonard, all of Ironwood; and three sisters, Mary (George) Harvey, Wakefield, Mich., Regina (Thomas) DeMario, Ironwood, and Josephine (Clarence) Vandershaegan, Hurley.

At Frances' request, there will be no visitation or funeral service.

Burial will take place in Hurley Cemetery.

The family will hold a private celebration of her life at a later date.


Lakeside Memorial Chapel in Wakefield is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at lakesidememorialchapel.com.