Frances “Fran” Marie Hirchert, 103, of Platteville, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Fran was born on January 12, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, to Rudolph and Julia (Raboch) Young, who immigrated from Prague, Czechoslovakia. She was the first of her family to be born in America. On September 14, 1940, she was united in marriage to Edward “Eddie” Hirchert in Chicago.

During World War II, Fran worked at National Biscuit Company (NABISCO), and later at the post offices in Chicago and Palatine, Illinois. She devoted much of her life to caring for her family as a homemaker. In retirement, Fran and Eddie moved to Wisconsin, where they owned and operated the Plaza Motel in Dickeyville from 1976 to 1981. After selling the motel, they made their home in Platteville.

Fran was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the VFW Auxiliary, and the Platteville Homemakers Club. She enjoyed crossword and jigsaw puzzles, playing Scrabble and cards, and especially cherished time spent outdoors—gardening, bird watching, fishing, and appreciating the beauty of nature.

She is survived by her children, Connie (Bill) Stadelmann; Eddie (Wanda) Hirchert, Jr.; MaryLou (Jim) Wydeen; and Dan (Lisa) Hirchert; daughter-in-law, Rose Hirchert; sister-in-law, Mildred Hoffman; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren; as well as special friends Kevin Butson and Len Wilkins, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie; her daughter, Nancy; her son, Bill; her grandson, Jeffrey; her son-in-law, Jack; two sisters, Marie and Ann; her brother, Joseph; and her parents, Rudolph and Julia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Platteville. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory in Platteville. Online condolences may be expressed at www.melbyfh.com.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff at Edenbrook of Platteville for the exceptional care and compassion shown to Fran during her time there. They are also grateful to St. Croix Hospice for their attentive care and support, which provided comfort to Fran and her loved ones. The family is also deeply appreciative of the kindness, companionship, and sense of community shared by Fran’s circle of friends at Edenbrook.

Frances Marie Hirchert

January 12, 1923 - April 02, 2026

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