Beloved family matriarch Frances Marie (Ballay) Wagner passed away August 9, 2024 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo MI.  Her family and friends were blessed with her colorful presence for over 97 years, and she will be greatly missed.

Frances was born in 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, to immigrant parents Paul and Stephania (Dzurnik) Ballay.  She was the third of six children in the family (Emily, Joe, Fran, Paul, Illene, and Ed).  Frances helped with farm and household chores, as well as taking care of younger siblings.  She attended elementary school in Chicago, then attended Otsego High School until she married Harold Julien in 1942.  They bought a farm near Schnable Lake in Watson Township and their family soon grew to include their children Tony, Sandy, Kay, John and George.  She later married Frank Wagner and they had one son, Frank Jr.

Along with raising a big family, Fran also had a long career as a clerk at the Three Rivers Post Office from 1968-1988.  Because of her lifelong interest in art, while living in Three Rivers, she became involved with the Carnegie Center for the Arts.  There she met fellow artists Joan Hector, Janine Wilson, and Patrick Thomas, who all became lifelong friends. Being a widow since 1974, Fran was a very independent woman.  She loved to travel and took many trips to various areas of our country.  Especially notable in more recent decades were her annual trips to visit relatives in Florida with sister Illene during the winter months. Grandson Brett coined the nicknames "Thelma and Louise" to describe their antics. We were never sure which one was Thelma and which was Louise, but the dynamic duo had many adventures together!

Frances loved art and was especially talented in the mediums of watercolors, pastels, and oil painting.  She had a gift of seeing beauty in everyday things.  Her art reflected her sense of style, color, and design.  Throughout her adult life, Fran continued to hone her craft by taking art classes in various media and studying with numerous local artists, along with sister Illene, daughter Kay, niece Debi, and others. Many family members are fortunate to be owners of one or more of her paintings! She took special pleasure in providing art supplies and opportunities for creating art for her disabled grandson, VJ.

Fran was very proud of her Czechoslovakian heritage.  She collected a fair amount of Czech glass items and kept in touch with some of the relatives from Slovakia.  She was very adept at preparing traditional foods and pastries. Her recipes for paprika chicken and Polish sausage with sauerkraut rivaled Grandma Ballay's from the "old country".   She even taught several of her kids and grandkids the art of making kolache, which she made for special occasions and holidays.

All who knew Fran would say she was a unique and lovely woman, with a wonderful sense of humor.  She was kind and non-judgmental, always there for her family, and extremely proud of her kids and grandkids.  Although life was not always easy for Frances, she maintained a positive outlook and acceptance of others' viewpoints.  She was exuberant and enjoyed life to the fullest.  She enjoyed travel, fine restaurants, and art galleries; but she also enjoyed a friendly game of dominoes, swimming class for seniors at the YMCA, and annual shopping trips with the girls.  She developed a love of reading in her later years, devouring books by the dozens.  The Ballay family has many shining stars… and Frances was definitely one of the brightest!

Frances was preceded in death by both her parents; as well as siblings Emily (Louis) Kubin, Joseph Ballay, Paul (Jean) Ballay, and Edwin (Joyce) Ballay; spouses Harold Julien and Frank Wagner; and son Tony (Jan) Julien.

She is survived by her children:  Sandra (Frank, deceased) Ogden, Kay (Glen, deceased) Julien-Moss, John (Diane) Julien, George (Maria) Julien, Frank (Roxann) Wagner.  Fran also leaves behind 16 adoring grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great grandchildren, and 1 great-great-great grandchild, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and her beloved sister Illene (Jerry, deceased) Oetman.

A Memorial Service is planned for Sunday, September 8 at 1:00 p.m. at The Farm at Bloomingdale (42520 CR 380, Bloomingdale MI).   The family will hold a graveside service at a later date at the Hill Cemetery in Oshtemo, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Carnegie Center for the Arts (107 N Main, Three Rivers MI  49093) OR the Three Rivers Promise Scholarship Program (PO Box 405, Three Rivers MI 49093) OR to any charity of your choice in her honor.