Francine A. Sadowska, age 79, of Marshfield, passed away November 5, 2026, at her home in Marshfield.
Fran was born on January 19, 1947, to John and Delores P. (Schulhauser) Morrison in Marshfield. She was a 1964 graduate of Marshfield Senior High, and the next year graduated cosmetology school at Beauty Culture of Madison and Milwaukee. On September 24, 1966, she married the love of her life Larry Sadowska at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Their plan was to establish a business in West Bend with Fran working as a hairdresser and Larry working as a barber. Those plans never came to fruition as Larry received his draft notice three days into their honeymoon.
Following completion of her cosmetology training, Fran worked in various shops in Marshfield. Additionally, she served as a hairdresser for Hansen Funeral Home and Rembs-Kundinger Funeral Home. Fran eventually trained to become a cosmetology instructor and worked for a short time as a junior instructor.
Music was a passion from an early age. At the age of 13, Fran joined the Marshfield Civic Band and was a member for decades. She was a drummer for summer concerts, parades, dedications, public and private dances, supper clubs, drama presentations, fairs and fundraisers, as well as jam sessions at local establishments. A union drummer for 45 years, she played in local and out of state bands needing a drummer. Some of the local bands included: Lyle Miller Duo, Bill Kiefer’s Modernaires, Lynn Winch’s six and 10 piece orchestras, The Country Gentlemen, and the Jim Weber-Bob Lightfoot Combo.
Fran stayed home for a short time after her children were born. A few years later, she began working for the Marshfield School District as a substitute teacher’s aide at elementary schools and junior high. Eventually she worked as an assistant reading teacher, through Title I, working at Senior High and Columbus High School. A couple of years later she was hired by the school district as a supervisory aide. Though music was her passion, she felt her calling was working with kids.
Simply known as “Fran,” she supervised the commons at Senior High, better known as “The Pit” at that time. Whether during lunches or mods off, students knew where to find Fran for advice or an ear that would listen. Eventually, her role changed again, and she ran the in-school suspension room for over 15 years. She felt that her main purpose in this new role was to turn everything into a learning situation. The last couple years of her employment were spent at the alternative school until declining health brought about her retirement in 2008. She was fond of the school resource officer program that started in the mid-80s. She worked closely with them and took great pride when one of “her” SROs earned a promotion to detective.
In her spare time, Fran enjoyed crocheting. Baking was another talent of hers. Cinnamon rolls, chocolate chips cookies, pumpkin bars, and mint brownies were a few of her specialties. She was interested in genealogy, spent countless hours researching the Morrison side of her family and was elated when she found and met extended family. Though athletics were not of interest, her grandkids were, and she loved to stream their volleyball, softball, football, and baseball, games.
Fran is lovingly survived by her son Jim (Dawn) Sadowska, daughter Heidi (Dan) Stangl, son Kurt (Shannon) Sadowska, and her bonus daughter Susan Reidel. Grandchildren include Michael (Mallory) Sadowska, James Kopf, Kati Sadowska, Alayna Sadowska, Jakob Sadowska, and Ryan Sadowska. Great-grandchildren include Lukas Sadowska and Karsyn Sadowska
Fran is further survived by sisters Johnilee Nyberg, Denise (Charlie) Dix, Disa (Paul) Specht, and Kibby Arkulary as well as all their children, Fran’s beloved nieces and nephews.
Fran was preceded in death by her husband Larry and her mother Delores P. Larsen.
No memorial service is planned at this time.
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