Kathy France

Obituary:

Kathleen France, 69, of rural Stanley, passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at home with her family by her side under the care of Interim Hospice. Kathleen Carol Webb was born on March 15, 1956, to the late Milo and Carol (Jandt) Webb in Faribault, Minnesota. She and her family moved to Thorp, Wisconsin, in 1967, and she graduated from Thorp High School in 1974. She attended Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI, and earned her Dental Assistant technical diploma in 1975. She married James France at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Thorp on August 23, 1975.

Kathleen first worked at ITT in Thorp for a few years until its closing in 1981. She then worked for Erickson’s True Value in Stanley and was the Town of Taft Treasurer for 16 years. In addition, she worked for a short time in 2001 for Farm Credit Services in Medford, all while farming with her husband in the Town of Taft, north of Stanley, until his death in 2020. During her retirement years, she worked at Sweet Memories in Thorp and Broadway Boutique in Stanley. She loved involving herself in the community. She was an active member of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Stanley until its closing in 2019, holding various leadership roles. She was a founding member of the Stanley-Boyd High School Band Parent Organization while her children were in school. Additionally, she held a seat on the Stanley-Boyd School Board in the early 2000s.

Kathleen enjoyed various hobbies such as sewing, quilting, crafting, gardening, and traveling. She was also an excellent cook and baker. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy; she often shared their lives, stories, and accomplishments with everyone she met.

She is survived by her children and grandchildren: Kristin (Michael) Verdegan and their children, Carter (fiancé Susan Meyers), Carissa, and Vanessa of Glen Flora; Wyatt (Laura) France and their children, Alexander and Reagan, of Mechanicsburg, PA; and Jenna (Hesston) Hughes of Stanley. She is further survived by her significant other, Harvey Phelps of Cornell; her sister, Diane (Gregory) Osowski of White Bear Lake, MN, and her brother, Bruce (Jolie) Webb of Chippewa Falls, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, James; her parents, Milo and Carol Webb; and her grandparents, Stanley and Esther Webb and Fred and Emma Jandt.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Thorp with Pastor Phil Beukema officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the church. Plombon Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.