Frances Adams

A funeral Mass for Frances Adams, 91, of Belfield, will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Belfield with Father Shane Campbell celebrating. Burial will take place in St. Bernard’s cemetery. 

Visitation for Frances will be 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Monday, October 7th at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson with a rosary and prayer service being held at 6:00 p.m. 

Frances passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, surrounded by her family at St. Luke’s Home in Dickinson.

Frances Gertrude Derylo was born December 21, 1932 in Fryburg, ND, the daughter of Andrew and Mary (Safratowich) Derylo. Growing up as a young girl, she attended Fryburg School through the 4th grade. Her family then moved to a farm they purchased south of Belfield, where she then attended Rocky Hill School, a country school near their new home, through the eighth grade. Frances attended Belfield High School her freshman and sophomore years. She then attended school in Dickinson her junior and senior years where she graduated from Dickinson High School. Following high school, Frances worked for Northwestern Bell as an operator until her marriage. On April 2, 1951, she married Dorman Fugere at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church north of Belfield. To this union they were blessed with seven daughters and two sons. 

Frances worked hard on the farm milking cows, raising an annual garden, sewing clothes for the children and baking and cooking for her family. The hard work that consumed much of her time did not deter her from teaching her children to pray and practice their Catholic faith by praying the rosary daily and attending church regularly. Frances was an accomplished musician, which she lovingly and patiently shared with her family. Her children loved to gather around the piano and sing as she played, while Dorman would sit in his chair enjoying his family’s entertainment. 

Because of her deep faith and dedication to the Catholic Church, Frances also shared her gift of music as the church organist at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Belfield for 50 years. She not only accompanied and directed adult choirs, but also played for elementary children where they attended the Catholic School, and played for the public school students during release time. In addition to her musical contributions, Frances also worked as the church secretary for 29 years, retiring in 2010.

Her husband, Dorman, passed away in June of 1985. Frances moved to Belfield, turning the family farm over to her son, Kevin. On November 27, 1987, Frances married Kenneth Adams at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. During their 37 years of marriage, Frances and Ken remained living in Belfield and enjoyed traveling to many different places throughout the years. When Frances’s health became delicate, Ken provided her the daily care required and continued to get her out with friends and family.

Frances was an active member of the Busy Bee Homemakers Club for many years, a member of the Senior Citizens, American Legion Auxiliary, St. Bernard’s Liturgy Committee, and St. Bernard’s Music Committee. 

As a pillar of love, understanding and faith for all her family, she will be forever loved and missed by those surviving her. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Adams of Belfield, children, Arlinda (Dennis) O’Brien of Bismarck; Michele (Kris Hanson) Burian, Bismarck; Roxanne (Tom) Inman, Fairfield; Kevin (Laura Godowski) Fugere, Belfield, Tammy (Les) Simnioniw, Belfield; Amy Jo (David) Burland, Arlee, MT; Blane (Linda) Fugere, Dickinson; Tracy (Aaron) Kessel, Sidney, MT; Lori (Roger Rossow) Shypkoski, Medora; 26 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren; sister, Judy (Jim) Ramsey, Las Cruces, NM; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Frances is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Mary Derylo, her first husband, Dorman Fugere; brother, Fabian Derylo, three grandsons, Dwight Anderson, Seth O’Brien, and Jared Burian; half-brother, Stanley Derylo; half-sister Helen DeVito; daughter-in-law, Cindie Fugere; and sons-in-law, Cliff Anderson and Maynard Burian.