Fanchon Sinn

Put the best construction on all things, Mother taught us, and that is the way she chose to live her life that began on a May morning in Newman Grove, Nebraska. Born to Swedish immigrant, Severin and Sadie of Lincoln, Nebraska, she was the granddaughter of Pher and Engla of Veinge, Sweden and Swedish immigrants Nelson and Christiana of Newman Grove.
She was christened in the Swedish Lutheran Church and , with her familys move to Denison, Iowa, in 1923, she was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. With her fifth grade brother, Virgil, who died in 1984, she was enrolled at age seven in the third grade of the Denison Public School System from which they were graduated. They joined their father in the business Nelsons of Denison.
Our mother and our father, A.J., were married on September 21, 1941. During World War II Mother was employed by the Selective Service and the New York Stock Exchange. In 1947, she became co-proprietor of Sinns of Schleswig. To their joy they became the parents of two daughters, Karlon Ann and Lindsay Elizabeth. The couple was active in community endeavors.
Mothers niche in life was volunteerism giving the best of herself to her church, her community and her country. She continue in that mode until her move to Denisons Reed House in 2007. A first-generation Swedish American, she was proud of her all-Swedish heritage and her country.
During Mothers years she served her church in multiple capacities, including primary church school superintendent, church school teacher, choir, building commission, designing its architectural roof line, and as UMW secretary. She served the Schleswig Library Board of Trustees for 30 years, including as president and in the trenches. She also acquired foundation funding, initiated many of its firsts, among which was its Art and Collection series that showcased the citys many talented people, and assembled the librarys history. Her goal of establishing her citys library as its cultural center became reality with the resulting influx of monetary gifts.
She wrote a literary, educational and humorous library column, The Book Nook, spanning 20 years for the Schleswig Leader, instituted Schleswigs Blood Bank rotation system, directed the benefit for the first school band uniforms and initiated and orchestrated the celebration honoring Schleswigs first 50-year physician. She served as local and district president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, directed numerous school and community functions including segments of Schleswigs Diamond Jubilee and, as the Bicentennial Co-Chairman, emceed those festivities. She presented lively book reviews and programs on the American Flag for area, out-of-state and college organizations. She was a community Bible study leader, in her mid-eighties was still also delivering Meals on Wheels and she served as an elementary reading mentor. What fun she had with those third graders on a par with her joyous love for chocolate.
Mother had served her county as a director of the Crawford-Ida Child Abuse Council, director and vice president of the Crawford County Art Councils first Board of Trustees and served the Republican Central Committee as Schleswig-Otter Township Precinct Captain. She was a former member of United Methodist Women, Denisons literary guild the Friday Study Club, Crawford County Republican Women, VFW Auxiliary, Schleswigs Hospital Auxiliary unit and now disbanded Mature American Club. She felt the term Senior Citizen was derogatory.
Having been appointed by the County Board of Supervisors, she served on Governor Rays Federal Health Planning Systems Agency for the 13-county area for its full term. She was a founding member, with President Herbert Hoover, of the State Historical Society for the Preservation of Historical Landmarks and was a lifetime member of the Crawford County Historical Society. Both of our parents devoted extensive time to the restoration of the Dow and McHenry Houses and fund-raising for the Crawford County Memorial Hospital, the hospital that had been initiated by our grandfather, Severin in 1946-47.
Mother shared her sense of humor and her joy of life with all, believing that there are enough gray days in life without wearing it. She lit up the Schlesfest stage each year in costume and Mothers Frankie and Johnny regaled the audience. Pantomime was her bailiwick and we remember her tearing up the stage with the Charleston in red spangles and fringe. She was devoted to whatever she undertook. And she loved laughter!
Mother was a woman of passion and intellect; she was an avid reader, had pursued academic access throughout her life and was a lifetime lover of quality literature and music. Afflicted since birth, she bravely fought countless, difficult physical battles throughout her life.
We daughters had often been told she was a very special person, a gift that uplifted Gods world; that she was a true and refined lady and as such she was in spirit as well; that she was... someone to cherish. Her smile was contagious. We were often also told that she put sparkle in other peoples lives. She gave others the benefit of doubt and was always forgiving. She firmly believed that unforgiveness corrodes the vessel that carries it. Her philosophy embraced a lack of guile she felt Christ wanted for us all.
She was so concerned about conversation, from the smallest ecosystem including the daily conservation of water to the now-desperate universal importance of preservation. She reminded us to remember the Chinese proverb: When you drink the water, remember the well-digger, that also means benevolence to others. She was forever concerned about the destiny of man. She contributed monetarily to countless worthy causes throughout her life as she could. In addition to all she gave of herself to others, we girls were her priority in all aspects of our lives.
She will be remembered for her bubbly, effervescent personality and delightful, never-failing sense of humor. She was warm, funny, smart; always upbeat. She had high standards and urged us to always remember the importance of integrity. She was a person of faith who prayed everyday for her family, relatives, friends, clergy, physicians, firefighters, policemen and the world. Her faith in Christ brought joyful anticipation of the life to come.
We who were part of her life will be forever blessed. She reminded us to follow Christs precepts and, as far as it depended on us and as Romans 12:18 advises, to live at peace with everyone. She touched us all with her grace and love. She laughed a lot; she hugged a lot. She enriched our lives. Well be with her again on another morning.....
She will be especially missed by her daughters, Karlon; and Lindsay and husband Nelson; her granddaughter and husband, Kirstin and Roderick; and great-granddaughter, Kynja; her nephew and wife, Kent and Diane; her niece and husband, Janna and Dr. John; and her grandnephews, grandnieces, and loving cousins.