Frances Bhend

Frances Elizabeth Bhend, age 58, passed away in the early hours of Sunday, June 14, 2020 at the Amery Medical Center. On July 19, 1961, Fran was born the only daughter to parents Thomas & Mary Beth Schilling in Atlanta, GA. As a child, Fran & her family traveled quite a bit, but Hudson, WI eventually came to be their home. After graduating from Hudson High School, Fran decided to have her own family & raise them in the Hudson, WI area. She met & married Raymond Bhend, with whom she had one daughter, Rachel, & one son, Andrew. Though the marriage between Fran & Ray would later disband, they loved their children & remained close.

Fran loved to cook, & worked as chef for most of her career. Having dinner at her house was always a treat; & was often better than some restaurants could offer. Fran herself especially loved traditional Italian food, but she could whip up almost anything you asked her to. Fran took every opportunity to be out in nature. She loved camping, hiking, & riding ATV’s all over Wisconsin. One of Fran’s favorite places to explore was Interstate State Park south of St. Croix Falls, WI. She never turned down an opportunity to take a drive down a Rustic Road. Fran would take a detour through every Rustic Road she happened across. Fran was an avid collector of gems, minerals, & stones. She would take many breaks while on the hiking & ATV trails to search for agates & other rare rocks. Fran thoroughly enjoyed music, & was not particular about the genre or type, as long as she could dance to it. Fran’s free spirit & open-heartedness will be what makes the memories of her cherished by all who knew her.

Fran will remain in the hearts of her children, Rachel Bhend of Amery, WI; & Andrew Schilling-Bhend of Amery, WI; her former spouse, Raymond Bhend; brothers, Thomas (Jennifer) Schilling of Stillwater, MN, John “Tuggle” Schilling of New Richmond, WI; & Peter (Allison) Schilling of New Richmond, WI; her friends, Julie (Lenny) Gordon & Tammie (Rod) Mangelson; her cat, Spartacus; as well as many other good friends, nieces, nephews, cousins, & extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas & Mary Beth Schilling.

A Celebration of Fran’s Life will be held at a later date. Memorials for the family may be directed to: O’Connell Family Funeral Home, Care of Frances Bhend Family, 520 11th St. S, Hudson, WI, 54016, to be forwarded on your behalf. Services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 715-386-3725, info@oconnellfuneralhomes.com.