Frances L. Krampien Burstein

Frances L. Krampien Burstein

Frances, nee Johnson, loving daughter of Gustav and Charlotte Johnson and sister of Kenneth Johnson passed away at age 95 ¾ at Touchmark on Prospect in Appleton on Thursday evening May 10, 2012. She was born in Oak Park Illinois on August 20, 1916 and attended Proviso High School and Valparaiso University where she met and married her college sweetheart, George V. Krampien. They lived in Omaha and later Norfolk, NE. When WWII came and George entered the Army, Fran enlisted in the Navy where she was trained at Hunter College in New York as a medical-dental assistant and was stationed in Corpus Christie, TX. While there, she assisted in needed reconstruction surgeries of the “7 Day Wonders”, who returned injured.
At wars end, she and George returned to Nebraska to reestablish his insurance agency and together enjoyed the daily tasks of raising “their pride and joy”, Penny Lea. In 1953 Fran moved to Appleton where George was brought into the home office at AAL/Thrivent. In the early 1960's, Fran decided to reestablish herself in the medical field and began working as a nurse for Dr. Chet Meyers and later Dr. George French where she enjoyed learning about and helping the many patients who came into the office. In the early 1970's, Fran decided to become a business owner and opened Honeycomb Beauty Salon, and then Headspinners' Studio Inc., and Teacher's Pet, children's hair salon.By the late 1980's she was ready to venture into something new and established Parties Etc, a wedding and party planning and decorating business which she operated about ten years. Fran's interests and Fox Valley Community involvement and philanthropy began when she first arrived in Appleton and has continued throughout her life time. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi; The Standard Club of Chicago; Waves local and National; and V.U. Guild, and served as president of the following organizations: Welcome Wagon; New Comers League, Appleton Womans' Club; Delphian Book Club; The Ladies Aid of Faith Lutheran Church; and Chalice Circle of King's Daughters playing an integral part in establishing the Put N Take Shop. Her work with the Fox Valley Symphony League earned her the Bravo Award for Service, and as a WWII Navy Veteran, she was proud of her contributions to the American Legion Post 38 where she worked her way through the ranks to 1st Vice Commander. Fran however is most proud of her gift to restore the “Avenue of Angels” that has become a long time Appleton tradition and without restoration money could no longer have been continued. To this day, she still gets cards from families thanking her. Fran loved golfing and was a long time member of Butte Des Morts Country Club; and she enjoyed watching various Wisconsin golfers compete on the PGA Circuit, and following Tiger's attempts to win a tournament. Each year she looked forward to going to the Arlington Park horse races at least once—often picking winners by interesting names, or color of horse, or the Jockey with her $2 bets. Fran was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and season ticket holder; she loved going to the games in Packer colors when weather permitted. If it was too cold to go, she was glued to the TV. Once you got to know Fran it was obvious she loved people, parties, decorating, theatre, shoes, chocolate ice cream, red lipstick, Paris, Mackinac Island, church, lectures, a glass of wine, Clearwater Beach sunsets, quiet rain, fluffy snow falls, collecting antiques, her daily talks with God, riding in her daughter's T. Bird or golf cart and watching The Young and the Restless. But most of all, Fran treasured her daughter Penny Lea and granddaughter Mariana Frances. She was a good listener, role model, confidante and best friend to them. The love the three of us shared was most extraordinary. Fran will be remembered for her smile which could make everyone around her feel special. She was gracious and welcoming and forever had a sparkle in her blue eyes magnified by her bright blue Ray Ban glasses. She was strong, clever, intelligent, a good cook, and classy lady who put forth a genuine sense of independence in a very accepting way. Survivors include her daughter Dr. Penny Lea Krampien, granddaughter Mariana Frances Joyeux Krampien, Yorkie Gabby K., two nephews and various cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, sister in law, nephew Marshall Kenneth Johnson, 1st husband George V. Krampien and 2nd husband of thirty-four years Nathan E. Burstein. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday May 15, 2012 at Faith Lutheran Church 601 E. Glendale Ave. Appleton with Rev. Paul Brinkman officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM on Tuesday at the church until the time of service. Internment with military honors will take place at Highland Memorial Park immediately following the service. A special thanks to the RN/CNA staff at Touchmark, Patrice Hafemeister RN, Jane PT, caregivers Kelsey, Kelly and Amber during the last few months, and Vicky Vosters, her haridresser. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, The Attic Theatre Fund by Frances Burstein, or Faith Lutheran Church.