Frances E. "Fran" Chancellor
February 23, 1936 - March 19, 2026
Obituary
BLUE MOUNDS - Frances E. Chancellor, of Blue Mounds, passed away on March 19, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on February 23, 1936, in Baraboo, to Walter and Catherine Mueller. Fran graduated from Prairie du Sac High School in 1954. She met Ed Chancellor of Mount Horeb at the Black Earth roller skating rink and they were married on August 7, 1954, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Prairie du Sac.
Ed and Fran had six children and farmed together outside of Mount Horeb for nearly 40 years. They raised hogs and milked Brown Swiss cows. Off the farm, Fran was active at Springdale Lutheran Church and served as the church’s Sunday School director for many years. She was a ceramics instructor, florist, a nursing assistant at Ingleside, and was the editor of a cookbook published by the Wisconsin Porkettes - a part of the Wisconsin Pork Producers Association. Fran enjoyed crafting, helping others, and got along with everyone.
Fran and Ed were the longtime owners and proprietors of the Blue Mounds Grocery and Crafts Store. After her retirement, Fran was active running the Clothes Closet with the Blue Mounds Food Pantry.
Fran is survived by her husband, Ed; her sister, Donna Van Wagenen; her children, Rick (Rita) Chancellor, Sandy (Corky) Webster, Kathy Chancellor and Mary (Joe Philipps) Chancellor; her grandchildren, Cory (Julie) Chancellor, James Chancellor, Adam (Stacy) Chancellor, Kelly Reed, Laura (Gary) Oshel, Dave (Rachel) Chancellor, John (Heather Kaarakka) Chancellor and Joe Chancellor; 12 great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws, John and Carol Chancellor; her brother-in-law, Bob Van Wagenen; her brother- and sister-in-law, Bill and Nong Chancellor; and her sons, David and Daniel.
A memorial service will be held at SPRINGDALE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2752 Town Hall Road, Mount Horeb, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, with Pastor Jim Ranney presiding. Burial will be held at Springdale Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The family thanks Ed and Fran’s neighbor, Galen Steig, the nursing staff at Ingleside, and Agrace HospiceCare for their care.
Memorials may be made to Neighbors helping Neighbors or Springdale Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077