Frances Fuerst

(From Walnut Lawn Funeral Home)

Frances Gwendolyn Fuerst (Bullock), age 83, of Battlefield, Missouri, passed away on August 16, 2026.

Frances was born June 8, 1943, and was the proud daughter of Max and Georgia (McCowan) Bullock. She graduated from high school in 1961 from Nevada, Missouri.

Shortly after graduating, she married Norman Clay Garwood on July 2, 1961. They were happily married at Pine Street Baptist Church in Nevada, Missouri and were married until 1996. To their union, two daughters were born, Sandra Lynn Stansberry (Garwood) and Gina Kay Reed (Garwood).

Frances, Norman, and their two daughters moved to Golden City, Missouri, in 1971 to build a custom meat processing plant to which they owned and run until 1986. Frances learned to run a bandsaw to cut meats to be involved in the process. She was also the bookkeeper. She was a good partner and wore many other hats too. Family always knew Sunday lunch would be a roast because that was something a busy wife and mother could put in the oven the night before bed and it would be ready after church. Frances also worked at Finley Engineering in Lamar, Missouri, for a few years of her life.

Frances was known to tackle a few sewing projects in her very little spare time. One year, she made her girls Easter Sunday dresses only to wake up and find sleet and snow to which Frances stated, “Put a turtle neck under and wear a sweater.” Every year, for her daughters’ birthday, Frances made the breakfast, supper, and birthday cake of their choice.

Frances enjoyed square dancing where she met Robert “Bob” Fuerst. They were married on February 6, 1999, until Bob’s passing in 2012. After Bob’s passing, Frances began a new chapter of her life. She played Fast Track on Mondays, Pitch on Thursdays, and county line dancing with her friends and a special guy, Ronnie Willoughby. Frances loved to laugh, play cards, find a great bargain at Kohls, and help Ronnie with gardening or anything else.

Frances is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Sandy (Jerry) Stansberry and Gina (Larry) Reed, all of Lamar, Missouri; three grandchildren, Sarah (Brian) Obermann of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Jordan (Jessica) Stansberry of Carthage, Missouri, and Isaac (Kenzie Pink) Reed of Republic, Missouri; seven great grandchildren, Riley Cochran, Jade Cochran, Noah Obermann, Dawson Obermann, Cameron Obermann, Addison Reed, Zaenan Reed; and one brother, Gene (Patti) Bullock of Richmond, Missouri.

Frances was proceeded in death by her parents, Max and Georgia Bullock; a sister, Maxine LuPardus; husband, Robert Fuerst, Sr; and granddaughter, Stacy Goodchild.

Frances loved to do things you would not expect someone in their 80’s to do. Frances bought a Mustang GT a year ago. Her neighbors stated they always looked twice when hearing it start up as she backed out of her driveway. She loved her desserts. Her family teased her that her cakes were 2 inches of cake and 3 inches of frosting.

In the book of Revelation, it describes the beauty of heaven, and I’ll bet it also serves the “best desserts” that could ever be offered.

Frances loved her family, her friends, her neighbors, and Ronnie. She was a great hostess and taught her daughters the gift of hospitality. Frances will be greatly missed.

May Frances’ memory bring joy and comfort to those who mourn her loss.