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The story lady charmed Dells' youths - Argus Leader

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I had a phone call the other morning from Betty Huss. She told me about the outdoor story time taking place at the Dell Rapids Library.

This brought back memories for her from when she was a young girl whose mother also took her to the outdoor story times, but, the lady who told the stories was Frances Schmidt! Frances would gather children around, sometimes 50 to 100 on the library lawn.

She had an ability to fabricate tales that the children loved!

So, I can imagine that many of you, like Betty, still remember those times and maybe recited some of the stories to your own children!

Frances was born with cerebral palsy as the result of a birth injury, and was never able to walk. After her parents had taken all methods to try and cure her, they realized it was not to be.

Her parents, Mary and Peter Schmidt, decided that she would have as normal upbringing as anyone else. Frances knew that she was a person not to be pitied, but just one who was not able to walk. She attended grammar school and high school and graduated an honor student.

At the age of 56, she decided she wasn't finished and attended college just as the rest of her family had done. Also achieving honor standards, she went on to achieve a BS degree in “Special Education.” From that time on, she focused on helping handicapped children and anyone who needed help because of their physical or mental problems.

Frances had numerous friends, too many to count, but she always remembered their names. Everyone was always willing to help her especially when she needed a push to where ever she needed to go.

Kevin Kuper and our Scott were helping Frances one day getting down the St. Mary hill. I was watching out of our east window making sure all went well, when all of a sudden the wheelchair slipped away from the boys and I saw Frances going fast down the hill and the boys running to catch up! My heart nearly stopped as I ran out to help, but, thank God, they caught her and were able to continue on with the trip!

I can imagine that she was hanging on tightly to her Rosary beads!

One fond memory for me and I am sure it was especially for Frances, too, when my Dave helped her to St. Mary church on the Christmas eve he played Santa! He had been invited, and also given a story he was asked to read. After that, he passed out candy canes to all of the children.

Frances' brother, Dorwin, (Donie) had a few quips like Dave, or maybe more, but that Christmas eve, he said, “I told you that Santa was a Catholic!”

For many years, Frances wrote a column for the Dell Rapids Tribune on local occurrences. Her stories were ''not to sell, but to tell.''

In her later years, she lived at the Odd Fellows Home where she also kept busy helping older people become adjusted to wheel chair living. She read the daily newspaper to those who were unable to see.

Mrs. Robert Gibb sent in a poem to the Dells Tribune that her father, Vincent Linn, wrote in Francis' honor.

Here are a few of the verses:

I know of a wonderful lady,

With beautiful raven hair, Who rules as the Princess of Sunshine, And her throne is a three-wheeled chair.

Wee children, and many a grown up, gather daily bout her door, and ask her to tell them a story, then another—then one more.

When I say that the Princess of Sunshine, the robe of an angel will wear, for the way she dispenses gladness from her throne - a three-wheeled chair.

Frances died at the age of 79.

We all loved you, Frances, and thank you for your many stories!

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The story lady charmed Dells' youths - Argus Leader
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