Frankie “Loretta” (Boland) Whitfield, 81, of Wells, was received into the arms of her Heavenly Father while surrounded by family on September 19, 2024 after fighting a courageous battle with triple negative breast cancer. Loretta was born on June 9, 1941 in Throckmorton, Texas to Elmer Felton and Fannie B. (Mays) Boland. She married Horace “Cotton” Whitfield on December 17, 1962 in Texas, and they lived there until February 1987 when they moved to the Upper Peninsula.
Loretta loved the Lord with every fiber of her being and spent much of her time in prayer for her family and her community. She was a gifted seamstress and crafter, but was most known for her impeccable cooking. She often sent recipes to her loved ones in the mail along with handwritten letters, her cursive script so gorgeous it belonged in an art museum. Loretta laughed readily, her full-bodied giggle filling a room, and she gave the best hugs.
Loretta is survived by her loving and devoted husband Cotton, children Christi (Mike) Parker of Abilene, Texas and Kaelyn (John) Viau of Ishpeming, Michigan, grandchildren Laura (Josh) Mckenna, Anissa (Ben) Johnson, Mikaela (Kenneth W. Cole) Jefferson, Aly (Nick) Viau, Dustin (Joanie) Viau, and great-grandchildren Johnathan, Isaac, Liam, Noah, and Ava.
Loretta was preceded in death by her parents and her brother David.
Her family would like to thank her caregivers at OSF Healthcare Hospice for their kind and wonderful care of our Loretta.
Family will receive friends on Monday, September 23, 2024 from 2 PM to 3 PM at the New Life Assembly of God Church in Escanaba. Funeral services honoring Franki will begin at 3 PM with Pastor Jason Janich and Pastor Robert Derheim officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church hall.
Winna Barton Bridges - ElDorado, Ar
Loved my cousin, Frankie!! We were fortunate to grow up together before life took us in different directions. Lots of wonderful memories. I have a lot of recipes that she sent me through the years. I’ll see you soon. Love you… Winna Barton Bridges