Frances Greiner

Frances Greiner, of Dawson, died Friday, May 1, 2026 at the St. Cloud Hospital at the age of 86.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Dawson Covenant Church with Pastor Terry White officiating.

Visitation will be for one hour before the service.  Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

Frances Joyce (Summy) Greiner was born in Campbelltown, PA on June 30, 1939, the 8th of 13 children, to parents John C. Summy and Martha M. Kready Summy. She graduated from Palmyra High School in Palmyra, PA in 1957. That same year, she met Henry Greiner at the Mt Gretna roller rink and they were married on June 6, 1959 at the United Brethren Church of Palmyra. Shortly after their marriage, they took a position as House Parents with The Milton S Hershey Company on Willowood Farm where they nurtured and supervised a dozen troubled or orphaned boys. Wanting to start their own family, they purchased their first house in Sporting Hill, PA where their first child Andrew was born. Later, they purchased a tobacco and pig farm, where their daughters Christine and Amy were born. There, they raised their 3 children while being active members of The Florin Church of the Brethren for many years. They also enjoyed vacationing with their children at their cabin in the mountains of Potter County, PA. In 1979, the family made the move to Potter County and purchased what would become Fran and Hen's Coffee Shop, a small café and gas station. After many years in the 'store', they sold and moved to Coudersport, PA where Fran worked at Adelphia Corp. In 1989, they relocated to Myerstown, PA to aid and care for Henry's aging father. After many years, they "retired" back to Potter County where they built their dream house in a patch of woods on a hill overlooking a grand scenic valley. During this time, Fran took part-time jobs and volunteered with the Northern Potter Schools in the lunch room and drove a special needs van. Finally, wanting to be close to family, the couple moved to Dawson, MN in 2018. Fran made friends easily and enjoyed meeting new people. She became an active member of Dawson Covenant church and Dawson Senior Citizens. After the death of Henry in April of 2020 and her daughter Christine in July of the same year, Fran relied even more on her friends in Dawson, going to Widows Gatherings once per week, exercising with the Presbyterian Pumpers, going to Coffee and Bingo or just walking around town on nice days. She never forgot her older friends from Pennsylvania and communicated frequently with many of them, even reconnecting with a grade school pal after many years. She loved watching the Minnesota Twins baseball team, and could be found cheering or yelling at the TV during their games. Her house was always open to family, friends and strangers with fresh coffee and treats available to all. Whether working, volunteering or bringing a dish to pass, Fran put her whole heart into all that she did. She was blessed to be living independently in her home until she suffered a severe stroke on Wednesday April 29, 2026, then going home to the Lord on May 1, 2026, where she was greeted by her husband Henry and daughter Christine.

Frances is survived by her sisters Helen (Carlisle PA) and Janet (Palmyra, PA) and brother James (Palmyra PA), her son Andrew (Shelia) of Dawson, MN, daughter Amy of Lock Haven, PA, grandchildren Joe (Erin), Jeff (Stacey), Matt (Joe), Randy (Toni), Rachael, Aden and Autumn, Great-grandchildren Joey (Becca), Jaden (Jake), Seth, Levi, Luke, Ella, Matthew, and Elizabeth, and Great-great-granddaughter Erin Zipporah Greiner. 

Fran was preceded in death by her husband Henry, daughter Christine, parents John and Martha, brothers John, Russ, George and Gary, and sisters Doris, Jo-Ann, Marlene, Gail, and Peggy. Blessed be her memory.