White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Frances M. Main, 97 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.  She was born on July 21, 1916, in Renville, Minnesota, the daughter of Berend and Minnie Caroline (Engel) Habben.  She graduated from high school in Jesup, Iowa, with the Class of 1934.  She worked as a hired girl for area farmers and met W. Curtis Main of Independence in the fall of 1935.  On December 21, 1935, they were married at the Baptist Parsonage in Independence, Iowa.  After a short trip, they moved to the farm southwest of Independence where Curtis was born.  They helped save the home farm during the Depression and raised their four boys and one girl there.

They continued to live on the home farm until 1970 when they built a new home on their river farm.  They lived there until November of 1978, when Curtis passed away.  Frances continued to live on this farm for 30 years until she moved to West Village Care Center at the age of 93.

She was active in the First Baptist Church, served as President of her circle, the First Baptist Women, sang in the choir, helped with fund raisers, and the funeral committee.  She was also active in King’s Daughters and a neighborhood group.

She loved to crochet, piece quilts, read, garden, and spend time with her family.

Mrs. Main is survived by one daughter, Lois (William) Olson of Webster City, Iowa, 3 sons, Wilbur (Sharon) Main and Donald (Judi) Main, both of Independence, Iowa, and Alan (Rose Birkett) Main of Peosta, Iowa, and one daughter-in-law, Margie Main of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, and 3 sisters, Janet Snyder of Manchester, Iowa, Betty Pierce of Charles City, Iowa, and Romona Zimpfer of Mesa, Arizona.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, 1 son, John “Jack” Main, 1 granddaughter, Brenda K. Main, 2 sisters, Helen Kerkove and Georgiann Fratzke, 2 brothers, Robert Habben and William Habben, 5 brothers-in-law, and 2 sisters-in-law.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2013, at the White Funeral Home in Independence, Iowa, with Rev. David A. Larson officiating.  Casket Bearers will be Curtis Main, Tony Main, Aron Main, Jeff Main, Brian Main, Bruce Main, Clint Main, John Olson, Dan Olson, Eric Main, Joseph Main, and Daniel Main.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, Iowa.

White Funeral Home of Independence is in charge of arrangements.  Friends may call for visitation from 11 a.m. until service time on Saturday, Nov. 2^nd, at the funeral home.