Fran Elizabeth (Ahl) Miller, 76, a resident of Manitowoc, died peacefully on May 6, 2016 surrounded in love by her five children.

Fran was born on December 15, 1939 in Manitowoc, the 11th child of the late Joseph and Elsie (Augustine) Ahl. She spent the next 76 years proving to the world that she could "do it herself"! Fran rarely depended on others to get something done because she indeed could "do it herself". Her most important project was raising her five children, mostly on her own.

Fran went to grade school at St. Joseph's in Alverno where she developed a love and understanding of God and of her deep Catholic faith which never faltered. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1957, married Don Miller later that year and had five beautiful children. Fran later completed an Associate's Degree and began a career that eventually led to her administrative position at the Manitowoc Police Department from where she retired in 2002. She was known for cracking a good joke, writing funny poetry, having a great head full of thick hair, volunteering at St. Vinnie's, refinishing furniture, and playing her favorite card game "Golf". There was always a double deck of cards and a score sheet sitting on her kitchen table. And then there were the occasional trips to Oneida which she enjoyed. Fran was a great listener. She listened to everyone's troubles-usually not sharing her own - and rarely gave unsolicited advice. Fran was a gentle person who seldom raised her voice. She met life's challenges head on and was a great example to everyone. Fran especially embraced the last two difficult months of her life with faith and courage. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

Survivors include her children and their spouses: Terry (April) Miller, Holmen; Debbie (Steve) Krumpos, Green Bay; Janet (Randy) Miller, Denmark; Bill (Kathy) Miller, Manitowoc; and Julie (Jeff) DeZeeuw, Manitowoc; 13 grandchildren: Jaime, Katie (Terry), Ryan, Kylie, Bridgett, Adam (Amanda), Kristin (Lee), Tehya, Nathan, Andrew, Aubrie, Alex and Zoe; two great-grandchildren; Hailey and Bob; siblings: Norbert (Pat) Ahl, Alice (Tony) Reimer, Mary Ann Gallenberger, Bernice (Jerome) Brandl, Elaine (Al) Meyer and Ruth Ahl. In addition to her parents, Fran was preceded in death by brothers Bob (Dolly) Ahl, Gerald (Nelda) Ahl, Jim (Jane) Ahl and Ray Ahl and her sister Dorothy Hibbard; and son-in-law Paul Nohr.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 9, 2016 at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand, 1416 Grand Avenue, Manitowoc. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Dave Beaudry. Cremation will take place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel at a later date. The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any memorials in Fran's name which will be sent to her favorite charity – St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Fran's family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. Lynn Baatz and the caring staffs at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center, Holy Family Hospice, and St. Mary's Home at Felician Village.