Mary Frances “Frankie” Mesecher, 84, Minneapolis, died Tuesday, November 3, 2020 with her family at her side. Born at the Harrington family residence on Delia St. in Minneapolis to Timothy Frances and Mary Josephine Lynch Harrington, she was given the nickname "Frankie" which stayed with her for life.
The last of six children, Frankie was born when her mother was 42 years of age, she was her parents’ and her siblings’ "doll baby". Third generation American born of Irish immigrants from County Cork, Ireland, Frankie was extremely proud of her Irish heritage. The years spent in the Harrington home were filled with a steady stream of family, friends, priests, and nuns.
At the age of eighteen she met the man she would marry while cruising Santa Fe in Salina, Kansas with friends. Finding the Air Force soldier stationed at Smoky Hill Airbase extremely handsome, and overtly arrogant. Don Mesecher, who upon his proposal of marriage, was surprised when Frankie initially turned him down due to his not being Catholic. Frankie’s unceasing joy was the growing family she and Don raised. The parents of eight children, it was said you could tell when Frankie was expecting due to Don adding another addition onto the family home. The full embodiment of a true Irish Catholic woman, strong, loyal, faithful, and eternally witty.
She possessed a uniqueness within her that people were drawn to. Quick with a new (and at times inappropriate) joke, Frankie loved telling a good story, and was known to host a great happy hour if one happened to stop by at the right time.
Frankie became lifelong friends with nearly everyone she met, and truly didn't know a stranger, always had an extra potato in the pot for whomever was at her the door. A businesswoman with her sisters Gen and Addie, and her husband Don, they successfully operated three different restaurants in Minneapolis. From the Shamrock to the Cozy Cafe, and finally People's Cafe, customers gathered for their home-made fare, and possibly the antics that ensued at each establishment, especially on Saint Patrick's Day. Frankie and her family put on quite a celebration for St. Pat! She would be dressed from head to toe, proudly wearing the green...if she couldn't find green shoes, green house paint was applied! Irish music filled the air, as an Irish jig was performed by Rita Foster, "Danny Boy" sung by Dave Corman, and " My Wild Irish Rose" by Denny Foerschler, the townsfolk and the a few times even the Bishop of the Salina Diocese were treated with good ole Irish fare. Her contagious enthusiasm for her heritage makes one wonder what conversation ensued between Saint Patrick and Frankie upon their meeting. From her and Don's impromptu dances in their kitchen, to her marching down main street during a homecoming parade recognizing past MHS cheerleaders, everything she did was done with great happiness, and sometimes hilarious results. During that particular parade, Frankie's exuberant hello to parade onlookers caused her top denture to fly out of her mouth and onto the street. Her "marching" turned into more of a cadence of step and kick as she pushed her teeth down the street, determined not to cause a scene.
Frankie's life was filled with many "you won't believe this" moments and some truly side-splitting stories. As the matriarch of the family, Frankie's compassion and enthusiasm for life will forever be engraved in the hearts and souls of her family and friends.
She joins her loving husband, Don; her infant babies; son Mark; daughter Jo; and all her departed family and friends in heaven.
Those who await a joyful reunion with her and our Savior are her children, Michael, Shell, and Mitch; her grandsons, Mark, Daniel, Corey, Zach, and Josh; granddaughters, Dawn, and Kelsey; great-grandsons, Xander, Jhett, and Connor; great-granddaughters, Jordan, Emma, and Aubrey; daughter-in-law, Shannon Platt; sister-in-law, Beverly Mesecher Stoke; numerous nieces and nephews; and a community of wonderful and lifelong friends.
Many years ago, Frankie shared with her family that you go through Ireland on your way to heaven.
At 5:30 on Nov. 3rd, Frankie was passing Dublin on her way to her Heavenly Father.
“May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. Saint Patrick behold you." "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal."
Visitation will begin at 2:00 P.M. Friday at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis, where a prayer vigil and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, November 7 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jo Nana Lunches or the Sisters of St. Joseph and may be left in care of Wilson Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.