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on 4/22/2025
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Article courtesy of Carroll Times Herald, April 21, 2025 by Sarah Stortz
When Kathy Francis wanted to learn how to crochet from her mother-in-law, the first thing she wanted to create was her own hat.
“That was a lot of fun,” Francis said of the experience.
Soon, Francis then made a baby blanket for her children. While she worked as a teacher, Francis heard about a local project requesting baby hats.
“I thought, ‘Well, I can do that,’ and I got the address from my mother-in-law and I crocheted a bunch of baby hats,” Francis said.
However, it turned out the hospital had enough hats, but they needed more blankets. From there, Francis has continually donated baby blankets to St. Anthony Regional Hospital for 10 years.
Recently, Francis donated her 300th blanket to the local hospital.
“I pray for the families and the babies that are going to get them while I’m making them,” Francis said. “And they say they really like them, so I’ll keep doing it. I’m on to the next 300.”
Since she started donating to the hospital, Francis has kept a book, where she records the number of blankets she’s created. Typically, Francis will donate a set of the five blankets.
After she retired from teaching Spanish and literate at the Ar-We-Va Community School District, she started making more blankets. Evidently, some recipients still hold on to the blankets.
“One of the nurses up at the Birth Place, her daughter still has her baby blanket,” Francis said.
Besides crocheting, Francis also keeps herself busy with other hobbies. She also enjoys quilts, creating quilts of all sizes. Outside, she maintains a garden, growing flowers and vegetables. She also sings for her church’s choir and the Carroll Community Choir.
Being a “pastor’s wife” for 48 years, her husband, Rev. Richard Francis, is currently the pastor at the United Presbyterian Church in Denison. Together, they enjoy walking through Swan Lake State Park.
They also have three sons and two granddaughters.
Living in Carroll for a long time, Francis said she appreciates the “good healthcare” in the area, including St. Anthony Regional Hospital and the local McFarland Clinic.
“It’s very important to have good healthcare handy,” Francis said. “We enjoy our friends and neighbors, we have good neighbors. We enjoy being close to places to go shopping, it’s just a nice place to live.”
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