France Bast obituary

Frances Lynn (Wildman) Bast was born in Sterling, Ill. on February 25, 1942, to Lloyd and Idabelle Wildman. She died April 4, 2023, at age 81 in Lake City, Minn.
After graduating high school in Prophetstown, Ill., Fran attended Northwest Institute of Medical Laboratory Technique in Minneapolis, Minn., graduating as a Medical Lab Technician in 1962. She worked first at the hospital in Tracy and later at Springfield Medical Clinic as a lab technician.
On November 10, 1962, she married Keith Bast of Springfield, Minn. and raised three daughters on their farm.  She and Keith enjoyed going for drives to check on the weather and crops, playing cards and going out to dinner with friends.  An expert baton twirler since her childhood, she made time to teach her love of baton twirling to others. Many Springfield residents have fond memories of learning to twirl and participating in area parades under Fran’s patient guidance.
Fran and Keith relocated to Mesa, Ariz. in 1986. They eventually started a maintenance and summer care business at the RV park where they resided. The teacher in Fran came out again and after taking a few clogging lessons, she started teaching clogging and also performing at various events. She also took up tennis and enjoyed playing in tournaments and organizing fun events. She was known and loved by many in the Mesa area.
She and Keith enjoyed driving out in the desert on little adventures and she would hop in the truck whenever he said, “let’s go for a drive”. They started traveling the country in their fifth wheel trailer, driving through much of the United States and into Canada, including a two-month trip to Alaska in 2011.
In 2012 Fran and Keith moved back to Springfield, Minn. Following Keith’s death in 2020, Fran moved to Lake City, Minn. in early 2022. Shortly after moving to Lake City, serious health problems were discovered, and she moved in with daughter Dianna, where she lived until Keith came for her and said, “let’s go for a drive”.
Fran is survived by her sister Lorelei (Reid) Bruce, daughters Christi May and Dianna (Bob) Nafe, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Stuart, husband Keith and daughter Susanne.
A celebration of Fran’s life will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 224 N. Mary Avenue, Springfield, Minn.
Memorials are preferred to the charity of donor’s choosing.
Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel assisted the family with arrangements.  Guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com.