Frances Gilliland

Frances "Fran" Gilliland passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Haxtun at the age of 101.

Frances Jane "Fran" Ruzicka Gilliland, second child of Joseph and Ethel (Allen) Ruzicka, was born on Sept. 8, 1921 in Plainview, Neb. She graduated from Plainview High School before enrolling in Doane College (now University) in Crete, Neb. There, she met the great love of her life, Keith DeLaine Gilliland of Dorchester, Neb. When Keith asked her to be his bridge partner, that led to an even longer lifetime partnership!

Dec. 7, 1941 changed everything for Fran as it did for the whole country. Keith left sc...