Frances Pauline "Fran" Hillier

Frances “Fran” Pauline (Nelson) Hillier, 91, of St. Paul, MN, died on Friday, August 23, 2024, at Sanford Hospice House, Fargo, ND. She was born at home in the midst of the Depression on May 31,1933 in West St. Paul, MN, to Nels and Nellie (Nelson) Nelson.

A life-long Lutheran and resident of Minnesota, Fran was baptized at St John’s, Rosemount, confirmed at Gloria Dei, St Paul, and graduated from Marshall High School, also in St Paul.

On Sunday, July 17, 1938 (unsure as to how or why she was chosen) Fran had the honor of presenting flowers to Crown Princess Louise Alexander during an appearance at the State Fairgrounds by the Swedish Royal Family. “A cute little girl dressed in Swedish costume presented the Crown Princess with a gorgeous bouquet of roses” (Minneapolis Star & Tribune, July 18, 1938). 

Suffering from depression, Fran’s mother was “committed” in August of 1940 and her elder sister, June, became a surrogate mother to Fran and her brother, Jerry. During 6th Grade, Fran started babysitting and house cleaning to help with living expenses, and at 15, (by telling them she was 16), she got her first real job as a candy girl at the Oxford Theater. Ironically, until then, she would go to that same theatre and pretend she was under 12 to get the children’s rate. While working there she met James “Jim” Hillier, a dashing usher, whom she would later marry on June 4, 1955. She also began working as a typist at Scheuneman’s Department Store, saving money to attend college.

Upon graduating high school in 1951, Fran began her professional career as a stenographer at American Hoist and Derrick. In the Fall of 1952, she entered the University of Minnesota to pursue a degree but quickly ran out of funds. She then took a full-time job with KSTP Television until her marriage. After the birth of her two daughters, Fran worked at home until Nancy and Kath could take care of themselves. She then went on to work for St. Paul Companies/Travelers for the next 20 years.

After her divorce in 1983, Fran began volunteering for a number of organizations and charities. She formally retired in 1991 and in that same month bought her own home on Blair Avenue in St. Paul and volunteered at the Special Olympics (ushering at the opening night Prince concert in the Metrodome). She ultimately became a regular and beloved volunteer at St. Mark Lutheran Church on West 7th, St. Paul; the Minnesota Historical Society in St Paul; and the Swedish Genealogy Society of Minnesota, of which she was a founding member and past president.

Fran loved to travel, visiting many places with her cousin, Pauline, including Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Europe and multiple trips to Sweden where she explored her own heritage, eventually publishing her own genealogical journey. She also travelled extensively throughout England and Scotland with other family members.

Fran showed unconditional love to everyone she met, but especially to her grandchildren who loved her dearly. She was kind, supportive, encouraging, generous and inexhaustibly patient with all of us. She will be missed, but forever in our hearts.

Fran is survived by her children, Nancy (Simon) Hillier-Fensom and Katherine Hillier; grandchildren, Brittany, Evan, Gregory (Abbie), and Catherine (Dan); great-granddaughter, Layla; and many other loving relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, and an infant sister.

A public visitation will begin at noon, Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN, followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00pm, live-streamed through her webpage at www.wrightfuneral.com where a guestbook and video tribute may be found. It will also be available live on Trinity’s Facebook page, and through the church website at www.trinitymhd.org where it will be archived for later viewing. A light lunch will be served immediately following in Trinity’s Christian Life Center.

A public Interment Service will be held one week later, Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 1:00pm in the Roselawn Cemetery, Roseville, MN. Lunch to follow at Gabe’s on the Park, 991 Lexington Parkway, N., St. Paul, MN, 55103.

Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to the following organizations: Sanford Hospice House; Alzheimer's Association; Swedish Genealogical Society of Minnesota; or Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund.