Welcome West Branch High School Alumni Association West Branch, Michigan

CLASS OF 1937

Class of 1937

Received a message from Nancy Rae Griffin about the death of Frances Couture Mann...."She graduated with my Mom (Doris Diebold Rea) and they remained friends until my Mother passed away at age 50.

Frances Marie (Couture) Mann grew up in West Branch, Michigan, with 2 sisters and 3 brothers. She graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) in 1941 with a bachelors degree in Home Economics Education. Upon graduation from MSU, Frances taught Home Economics at Watervliet (MI) High School before returning to Lansing, MI, to aid in the war effort by working as a secretary for the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors. She then returned to West Branch to teach Home Economics at West Branch High School for 2 years. Frances enlisted in the Red Cross as Services to Armed Forces (SAF) - training for one month in Washington D.C. She was assigned to the Army-Navy General Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, as a social worker counseling returning servicemen.



Eventually Frances returned to MSU and completed a masters degree program in Social Work before returning to work at the Red Cross Chapter in Lansing, MI. Frances then moved to Midland, Michigan, to work as a Home Economics teacher at Central Intermediate High School (formerly Grove Street School?). Shortly thereafter, Frances Couture met her future husband, Joseph R. Mann. Frances and Joe were wed in 1950 and over a 7-year period they had 5 children. Frances had enormous pride in, and derived great pleasure from, her children and grandchildren. She also had a love for sewing and design which began when she was 10 years old and continued until her death. Over the years she created many heirlooms for family members and friends, ranging from wedding dresses to innovative baby clothes to draperies and other home furnishings. Her taste and talents were unsurpassed.



Frans enormous contributions of time, talent, friendship and love will be sorely missed by her children and grandchildren and those who knew her. Fran would have wanted to express her gratitude to the caring staff at Kings Daughters who became her “later life family. Fran was preceded in death by her Mother and Father, Isabel and Otis Couture, as well as siblings, Robert Couture (who died in WW II as a bombardier), Jack Couture (Barb), Richard Dick Couture (Carolyn), Mary Corriveau (John), and twin sisters who died shortly after birth. Frances has one surviving sister Barbara Witzke (Ed) in Port Huron and sister-in-law Karolyn Couture in New Hampshire. Fran is survived by her children, Mary Nalon (Terry/deceased), Dr. Robert Mann (Melinda), Thomas Mann, James Mann (Candi) and Marcie Mabry (Gary). Fran is survived by all but one of her grandchildren (Jonathon Nalon). The Mann grandchildren include Kristen, Jennifer, Joe, David, Michael, Stephen, and Laura Beth. The Nalon grandchildren are Daniel and Mark and the Mabrys are Isabel and Benjamin.



The above obituary was written over 30 years ago over drinks at a Bar/Restaurant with Frances and her daughters. When the waitress asked what all the hilarity was about, she was told that we were writing Frans obituary, letting her have input and then torturing her with what we would really say, eliciting another round of laughing. May Frans eternal optimism and good humor be spread among all those who she has loved and lost to Heaven including but not limited to her beloved husband Joe Mann. You were the best Mother a kid could ever have and there will never be enough words to describe the tenacious and remarkable woman you were. Till we meet again, RIP Mom.





Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, services are private.



Those wishing to view the service live stream, click on the link that will be placed Friday morning below this obituary. Streaming to begin 15 minutes prior to the service. Service to begin and 11:00 Friday, May 1, 2020.



Individuals wishing to pay their respects may do so on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Association.

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Baldwin, Gladys
Nov 26, 1918 - Aug 8, 2017
Born in Rose City, MI. Retired from GM in 1974 and relocated to Sarasota, FL, where she continued her never-ending devotion to family, faith, and helping others. Gladys was loved by many and will be missed dearly by her surviving friends and family. In lieu of flowers please make donations to New Life Lutheran Church located at 8010 Fruitville Rd. Sarasota, FL 34240.