Natalie Ann ‘Nicki’ French

Natalie Ann “Nicki” French, 81, of Rockford, died Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 at Mercy One North Iowa, in Mason City.

A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 at Holy Name Catholic Church, in Rockford, Iowa. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the church. Inurnment will be in Park Cemetery, Nora Springs. Officiating will be Father Frantz Augustin. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Natalie French at 404 2nd Ave. NW, Rockford, Iowa, 50468.

Nicki was born on March 9, 1942, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Willis Edward and Agnes Gasaway Fitzgerald. She graduated in 1959 from Newman High School. On July 18, 1959 she was united in marriage to Raymond “Ray” John French in Mason City. To this union was born three daughters. They moved to California in 1966, then following Ray’s death in 1976 she moved to Nora Springs and in 2013 she moved to Rockford to live near her daughter, Kerry. She joined Holy Name Catholic Church.

She was a fan of the Minnesota Twins, followed Iowa and Iowa State Girls Basketball. She sewed quilts and Halloween costumes for the family, played the piano, did country crafts making dolls and decorations, and she also enjoyed reading.

Nicki is survived by two daughters, Kerry (Terry) Johnson, Angie Anderson, one sister Joan Behr, a brother Bill (Terri) Fitzgerald, and Brother-in-law Maurice Heinrichs, thirteen grandchildren, Holly (Josh) Borchardt, Megan (Parker) Boyd, Lindsey (Kyle) Staudt, Corey (Taylor) Johnson, Caley (Matt) Rottler, Wes Johnson (Amber Staudt), Dax (Meghan) Nelson, Justin Severe, Garrett Hunt, Caleb Craighton, Sarah Craighton (Jamie Howland), Gabriel Craighton, Samantha (Brandon Myers), and loved by many great grandchildren.

Nicki was preceded in death by her husband, Ray French, parents, Willis and Agnes Fitzgerald, daughter, Tammy Portis, father and mother-in-law John and Dorothy French; sisters Sue Dodge and Meg Heinrichs. Grandson John Raymond Portis and great grandson Will Johnson.

Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 302 West Main, Rockford, Iowa 50468 641-756-3311, www.Fullertonfh.com.