On December 10, 2022, Helen Francille Boots, age 88, of rural Steele county passed away after a short illness.

Helen Francille Boots (Fran) was born on May 9, 1934, into the rural home of Chester and Edna McMillan, in the town of Canton, Illinois.  She began attending the local country school at age 4, eventually graduating from Canton High School at the age of 16. Being too young to enter the school of her choice, she began working for the money needed to attend when she became eligible.  She took on work for friends and family, earning enough to enter the Graham Hospital School of Nursing in Canton, Illinois, one year later at the age of 17.  She graduated from the Graham Hospital School of Nursing as a registered nurse in 1954 with a Diploma in Nursing.

Upon graduation, at the recommendation of her great uncle, Ora Ball, she moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota.  After completing her state boards, she began her work as a registered nurse, working in the maternity ward in the community hospital of Austin, Minnesota. Being an obstetrics nurse became her focus at age 16 after she performed her first delivery, that of her sister Susan, born in her own family home in 1950. She began working in Albert Lea at Naeve Hospital shortly after, and after 38 years of nursing, retired from the Owatonna City Hospital in 1992.  She was very proud and happy to have been an obstetrics nurse working in the Owatonna community bringing many babies into the world.

In September of 1954, she met her future husband Jack Boots while out with friends. They would become husband and wife on July 17, 1955. To this union were born 3 children, Jane Boots, of Louisville, Kentucky; Jennifer Boots, of Albert Lea, Minnesota; and John (Sharlene) Boots, of Hudson, Wisconsin. In 1967, after the untimely death of Jack's brother and wife, they added and then adopted 3 more children into their family, Julie, Kris, and Mike Boots.

Fran enjoyed traveling throughout her life with family and friends.  She and Jack traveled overseas with good friends to the United Kingdom, Italy, Egypt, and the US State of Hawaii.  They also traveled extensively through the United States and Canada.  They enjoyed traveling up to northern Minnesota, where fishing was always a summer highlight with family and friends.

Fran loved playing golf, bowling, and playing cards (particularly Bridge) with her ladies at Blooming Prairie Country Club, and the Serviceman's Club.  Fran was active in her community as a 4H leader and as a member of the Pratt Progressive Club.  Fran began quilting after retirement and over the years developed her skill. Fran was well known for having made many beautiful quilts for family and friends.

Fran is survived by her husband Jack, her children, her grandchildren, Brent (Amy) Boots and Danny (Chelsea) Boots, and her great grandchildren, Psalm Marie, Titus Lee, Esther Loraine, and Amos Guthrie Boots, and many other loved family and friends. Also surviving are her sisters, Mildred Anderson, Susan Henderson, Linda McMillan, and brother Howard McMillan, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She will also be deeply missed by special friends, the Jan and Jerry Hickman family of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and all those strong family friends in her community that have played such a significant role of her and Jack's life. Special notice to the Seykora, Prestegard, and Bartlett families.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Edna McMillan, and siblings and spouses, Harold and Louise McMillan, Chester and Maxine McMillan, Betty and Harold Summers, and Roxy and Cecil George.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 17th from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna.