Mary Frances Nielsen Zeuge passed away peacefully in Kennewick, Washington on July 23, 2026. She was 95 years old. Many of her friends and family will remember her as “Fran” or “Franny.” A few of us will remember her as “Mom”, “Grandma” and “Aunt Frances.”

Fran was born on November 5, 1930 to Gordon and Leone Nielsen in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the oldest of five daughters. While she was a longtime resident of Kennewick, her lifetime took her through many places she called home including Salt Lake City, Utah; Richland, Camp Hanford and Kennewick, Washington; Livermore, California; Plymouth, Massachusetts; Longview, Washington. She and her family returned to Kennewick in 1975 where she remained until her passing.

Fran’s childhood family moved to Richland, Washington in 1944 in the early days of Richland’s atomic age. She graduated from Columbia High School in Richland in 1948. Two years later, while she was working at the lunch counter at Pennywise Drugs, she met the love of her life, Herman Zeuge, known as “Herm” or “Zoogy.” They married in Richland on October 6, 1950. They had three children, Alan (1952), Bradley “Brad” (1956), and Mary “Sharon” (1965).

Throughout her lifetime Fran had many hobbies including bowling, dancing, crafts, mall-walking, and people-watching. While the majority of her married life she identified as a family centered homemaker, she had experience working as a bookkeeper in addition to working with children with mental and developmental disabilities, and working as a receptionist at Cathedral in the Desert in Richland. Her volunteer experience included leading small group bible studies, and volunteering at Columbia Industries, Tri-Cities Cancer Center, Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House.

Fran’s beloved Herman passed away in 1995 and she remained active in the community. She was a member of the Living Room Community Church in Kennewick since its first service in 2007. Prior to that she was a member of the Cathedral of the Desert church in Richland.

Those who were fortunate enough to know Fran will remember her as a fun-loving and compassionate person. She was always quick to offer a kind word or gentle touch if she sensed that a person needed it. She showed a high sense of gratitude toward others for their kindness. She was a person of deep faith, which she demonstrated through her actions.

Fran is preceded in death by her parents Gordon and Leone Nielsen, and her sisters Marilyn Ragsdale and Laurel Fleck. She is survived by her son Alan Zeuge (wife, Debbie), son Brad Zeuge (wife, Anna), daughter Sharon Yount (husband, Michael), her sisters Sharon Sturgis and Valerie Lee, her grandchildren Brandon, Dustin, Alena, Andrea, Helga, Phillip, and Kristina, and several great grandchildren.

The family wishes to acknowledge the Fleur de Lis Adult Family Home owners and staff in Kennewick for the fine care they provided to Fran beginning in 2019 and until her passing.

For those who knew and appreciated Fran, the family requests your presence at the celebration of her life at the Living Room Community Church, at 1409 S. Garfield St., Kennewick, Washington at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 7th.