Frances Bartos

WEBSTER- Frances Bartos, 80 of Webster died on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home in Rochester, MN. Her funeral will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the United Methodist Church in Webster, Rev. John Hisel will officiate. Burial will be in the Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service on Friday 5-7 P.M. and prior to services on Saturday at the church. Frances Vila Samson was born April 19, 1927 to Joseph and Theresa (Sigaty) Samson on the family farm near Eden, South Dakota. She was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eden. Frances attended country school near her home and as a young woman moved to Webster and worked as a waitress at Knapp’s Cafe. There she met her future husband, Joseph Robert (Bob) Bartos, who returned to work there after serving in the U.S. Army. They were married May 26, 1946 and remained happily wed for 57 years until Bob passed away on October 25, 2003. Frances and Bob owned and operated Knapp’s Cafe with partner Jeff Nelson for many years. Following a short period of farming, they went on to own and operate Bob’s Bar in Webster. In 1966 Fran and Bob moved to Aberdeen, SD, where they purchased T-Bird Liquor Store and operated that business until 1970 they returned to Webster. Frances also worked at Nerger’s Department Store and Anthony’s Department in Webster over the years. Fran was a member of the Webster United Methodist Church where she helped serve Kiwanis functions and worked with the Mission Committee. She was also a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed coffee with her friends, crochet, crossword puzzles, reading, dancing, her yard and plants, caring for dogs, and her family. She regarded the Webster community and her beloved neighbors with great fondness and appreciation for the company and support they provided through the years and especially following Bob’s passing. Survivors include two daughters, Nancy (Dennis) Jeske of Rochester, MN, and Teri Gaikowski of Rapid City SD; one son, J. Robert “Rock” (Debo) Bartos II of Sugar Land, TX, ; two sisters, Aureilia Deutsch and Ethel Michlitsch both Eden: six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law, Roger Gaikowski, four sisters, Luella, Bernice, Lela, Doris and one brother, Gordon.