In Memorium

Frances Jane "Frankie" Seidel
            - December 15, 1923—July 1, 2004

Frances Jane "Frankie" Seidel, 80, of Wichita Falls, Texas, died Thursday, July 1, 2004.

Funeral services were conducted at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday,
July 6, 2004, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Charles Paulson officiating. Interment followed at Crestview Memorial Park under the direction of Owens & Brumley Funeral Home of Wichita Falls, Texas.

A daughter of the late Hurless and Agnes Huges, she was born December 15, 1923, in Eldon, Iowa. On March 4, 1944, she married Raymond L. Seidel in El Reno, Oklahoma. Mrs. Seidel worked for most of her life as a secretary. She served as the past president of the Embroidery Guild of America and the American Needle Guild, also as their librarian. She was a volunteer for First Step, Inc. (First Step Women's Shelter & Sexual Assault Counseling) of Wichita Falls, Texas, and was a long time member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. She was also preceded in death by her brother.

Survivors include Ray, her husband of sixty years of Wichita Falls; son Connie Seidel of Palo Alto, California; daughter Janice Kay Perello and husband Phil of Houston; son Douglas Seidel and wife Trish of Dallas; daughter-in-law Suzanne Ward-Seidel of Springdale, Arkansas; grandchildren Brian Pardee and wife Haley of Arlington, Texas; Melissa Perello of San Francisco, California; Kane Cannedy of Lubbock, Texas; and Allison Rae Ward-Seidel of Springdale, Arkansas; great-grandchildren, Sydney Pardee and Kasey Pardee, both of Arlington, Texas.

For those desiring, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the building fund at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or to First Step, Inc., both of Wichita Falls, Texas.

Contributions in memorium may be made out to the appropriate recipient and sent to Raymond Seidel, 4503 Dumbarton, Wichita Falls TX 76302, or directly to:

First Step Women's Shelter & Sexual Assault Counseling
P.O. Box 4085
Wichita Falls TX 76308
940-723-7799

or

Building Fund, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
4605 Cypress
Wichita Falls TX 76310
940-692-3690

A note from Frankie (circa 2002):
My heartfelt thanks goes out to all the artists, designers and teachers over the years who have spiked my interest in needlework. Altho like many, I actually started learning from my mother and grandmother.

I am not an artist... but have a great appreciation for what others can produce. There have been many classes (I have a closet of unfinished pieces to prove it) to help my addiction.

In the beginning everything had to be done a certain way and there was only one way to do it. Not any more... anything Goes!

Some of my most enjoyable and proudest moments have been helping my granddaughter learn to stitch—she took to it like a duck to water. She is to soon be 16 and I can remember one project that she raced through (needlepoint) while two of my friends were having problems with it and came to me for help. Allison is a perfectionist and that shows in her work. She even had an article written about her in Needlearts (Allison Seidel).

This has nothing to do with needlework but want to have bragging rights for my other granddaughter, Melissa Perello. She is Executive Chef for Charles of Nob Hill in San Francisco and was recently nominated (1 of 5) for the James Beard Rising Star Award. The gala was held in New York City and her Mother says it compared to Oscar night. Melissa didn't win (a young man from Evanston, Ill. won) but we are so proud of her for being nominated. WAY TO GO, GIRL!!!!!!!

I am soon to be 80 years old and have discovered the world of beading so am spending my time chasing those tiny Delica beads around. I'm constantly amazed at the artistry that can be done with beads. Everyone talks about their LNS (local needlework store)—I can't wait to see the one in Heaven!!!

To see a brief synopsis of stitching and needlework, beading work, and combined needlework & woodwork that I and my husband Raymond have produced, click here.