Felicia Ann (Becker) Kass left this world peacefully and went gently into God’s arms. Heaven received a very sweet soul. For so long she had been awaiting and anticipating the heavenly reunion that she would share with her beloved husband, Francis C. Kass, and her children, Julie Partridge, Frank Kass, Vince Kass, and daughter-in-law, Maria Kass, and sons-in-law, Joe Partridge and Jim Scott. The celebration in heaven will be a large gathering, including her parents, Patrick and Leona (Waller) Becker, and seven of her nine brothers and sisters.
Felicia married Francis in 1948 in Topeka, Kansas. He was the love of her life. Even after 54 years of marriage, she would still light up like a Christmas tree when she was around him. They were blessed with five children. Her surviving loved ones include her daughters, Karla Kass and Joleen Watson and her husband, Jim Watson; daughter-in-law, Gloria Kass; her grandchildren, Misty White, Shannon Tibbits, Roger Partridge, Verna Jo, Kristin Mazanec, Franco Kass, Jeffrey Poulter, Christie Kennedy, Casey Kass, Maddie Kass, and Brendon Bradshaw; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; her brother, Leo Becker; and her sister-in-law, Darlene Becker.
We will miss our mother, grandmother, and friend, but so many treasured, loving memories will be our comfort. Each of us have a heartfelt story, but the common thread is how she made us feel loved and treasured. Her husband, children, and grandchildren were her life.
Felicia was born in Seneca, Kansas, to Patrick Becker and Leona Waller Becker. She had an enormous love for them both. Loving tears would come to her eyes when she talked about her parents. They raised her to be a devout Catholic and faithful follower of Jesus. She in turn raised her children the same. When Felicia was eleven, her father died of tuberculosis, leaving her mother with nine children to raise alone. The children with their mother pulled together and cared for each other; from looking after the younger ones, to throwing newspapers, working odd jobs, like cleaning houses, or working at the drug store, while their mother did whatever work she could find, like hanging wallpaper. Their love of God, their love of each other, and their pulling together, worked and they all grew up to be strong, happy, capable Christian people. Felicia would often say, “We were poor, but we always knew that we were loved.”
Felicia attended school at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in Seneca, Kansas, first through twelfth grade. Her senior year she was surprised and humbled when she was crowned prom queen. She had an outer beauty, but what really made her so beautiful was the kindness and gentleness that emitted from her inner essence.
After graduating from high school, she spent a year at nursing school where her best friend fixed her up on a blind date with the man who would become her husband. It was an enduring love story. They married May 18, 1948, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Topeka, Kansas. Felicia and Francis had five children. She was an excellent mother, homemaker, seamstress, cook, and most importantly a person who could listen to you and then make you feel like you had super powers whenever you had a problem. She was a fixer, the glue that repaired us. Her way of always thinking we were wonderful restored us.
The memories that we will tuck into our hearts are simple memories. The feel of her hand in ours. Her laugh. She could laugh with her whole body. The love that she carried in her heart for our dad. Her homemade gravy and cream puffs. The way she would dance in the kitchen to George Strait. And solve every crossword puzzle. She could be a gentle disciplinarian, but she knew when to look the other way when her kids were up to innocent mischief. We will remember her making our school clothes with a sewing machine that you had to use a peddle to power it. She did this on an enclosed back porch, while watching us in the backyard, digging holes all over the yard to make a goofy golf course. She allowed us freedom to play circus, and ride our bikes, or play in the mud. Later on, her grandchildren would have good times with her at the pool, on overnights, and while making sundaes in old fashioned glasses. The best memory we will take with us is the love that we felt from her. She made us feel loved and special and for that we will be eternally grateful.
Family and friends are invited to a Visitation on Monday, November 7, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 8520 Main Street, Frisco, Texas. At 9:00 a.m. there will be a rosary. Following the visitation and rosary, a Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 8000 Eldorado Parkway, Frisco, Texas, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas, at 2:30 p.m.