Funeral services are 10:30 A.M., Monday, October 4, 2010 at the Wagner Community Church in Wagner. Burial is in Lakeview Cemetery, Lake Andes. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 PM until 7 PM at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner.

Ethel J. French, daughter of Charles O. and Hattie Jones, was born July 27, 1913 in Knox County, Nebraska. She died Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner. Ethel attained the age of 97 years, three months and two days.

Ethel's parents moved to South Dakota when she was eight years old. She attended rural schools in the area. Ethel married Ralph French on February 11, 1933. One son, James Lesley, was born to their union. They farmed in the Avon and Dante area for 53 years, retiring in 1983 and moving into Avon. Ralph's health began to fail and he passed away on January 16, 1986. Ethel moved to the Heritage Court in Wagner in 1987. She became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner on July 5, 2002.

Thankful for having shared her life are her two grandchildren: Christopher French along with his wife Amy of Houston, TX and their three daughters and John French along with his wife Shannon of Coeur d' Alene, ID and their four children; daughter-in-law, Mary of Rathdrum, Idaho; Ethel's siblings: Charles Jones and his wife Ann of Albert Lea, MN; Evelyn Johnson and husband, Robert of Albert Lea, MN; Mary Deurmier of Sioux City, IA; Darlene Dress and husband Ted of Yuba City, CA; sister-in-law Dorothy Jones of Springfield; as well several nieces and nephews and their families who will also mourn her loss.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph and her son, James on December 15, 1985; brother, Elmer "Kelly" Jones ; and two sisters: Lucille Deurmier and Bessie Dahlenburg.

Ethel will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.