Viewing: 2:00 pm | Service: 3:00 pm

Krause Funeral Home | 7001 W. Brown Deer Road | Milwaukee, WI

Repast: Immediately after service | Perkins Private Event Venue | 6822 W. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, WI

Ana Marie Francis was born on March 26, 1958, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to her parents Howard Hollis Francis and Rose Marie (Schultz) Francis. She was the eldest of their two daughters, Ana and Diana.

Ana spent her early years in Milwaukee, where she attended Siloah Lutheran Church and School.  Upon her confirmation, she reaffirmed her faith in God which remained an important part of her life. She attended Milwaukee Lutheran High School during her freshman and sophomore years before graduating from Hamilton High School in Milwaukee.

Following graduation, Ana began her career in the Medical Records Department at Children’s Hospital. During that time, she also attended Milwaukee Area Technical College, taking classes in dental hygiene because of her appreciation for healthy, beautiful smiles.

In 1984, Ana moved to Macon, Georgia, with her longtime beau and embarked on a totally new career as a Deputy Sheriff. Later, she relocated to the Atlanta suburbs, where she joined the McKesson Corporation and advanced into a leadership role as a Project Manager. In that position, she combined strong technical expertise with exceptional interpersonal skills, successfully managing complex products and services while coordinating the resources needed to support high-profile client accounts.

An independent and determined woman, Ana achieved another significant milestone when she built her custom four-bedroom home in Canton, Georgia, all while enjoying a successful and demanding career.

Ana’s resilience shone after she suffered a stroke while at work in 2009. Doctors informed her family that many people with similar brain injuries are unable to return to high-level technical positions. Refusing to be defined by that prognosis, Ana worked tirelessly through her recovery and successfully returned to her same role at McKesson. She continued to excel for another four years, demonstrating remarkable determination, strength, and perseverance. Her unwavering work ethic and courage during this chapter of her life inspired all who knew her.

Ana possessed an impressive knowledge of a wide range of subjects, including process management, medicine, and especially entertainment. She made it fun to watch a program as she seemed to know nearly every actor and celebrity, along with details about their careers, relationships, and personal histories. Family movie nights often included Ana identifying actors from previous roles and sharing interesting facts about their careers and lives. Although her commentary sometimes made it difficult to hear the movie, it became a cherished and entertaining part of the viewing experience.

In her younger years, Ana was also a creative artist; she enjoyed drawing, painting, and sculpting. Her creativity and artistic abilities reflected another dimension of her many gifts and talents.

In 2016, Ana returned to Wisconsin, where she devoted herself to helping her sister care for her father, who was suffering from a heart condition. Throughout his stay at a rehabilitation facility, she faithfully spent long days by his side. Her dedication, compassion, and unwavering support brought him comfort throughout his final months before passing later that year.

Ana was patient, understanding, kind, and deeply mindful of the feelings of others.  She carefully chose her words, especially when speaking to family and those she loved. She often said that she never wanted to hurt anyone with her words because, even after an apology, the hurt could not simply be taken away. Her compassion guided how she treated others throughout her life and left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Ana Marie Francis departed this life on July 14, 2026.  She has reunited in peace with her parents, Howard and Rose Marie Francis, aunts Patricia Schultz, Faye Schultz and Bess Schultz, uncles John Schultz, Ronnie Schultz, and Paul Francis.  Ana’s loving memory will be treasured by her sister, Diana (Rick) Borders; aunts, Cynthia (Winston) McClendon and Barbara Schultz; and uncle, Karl Schultz; along with many beloved cousins, extended family members, and friends whose lives she touched.

Ana will be deeply missed. Though her presence is no longer with us on earth, we take comfort in knowing that she now walks in heaven with God and the loved ones who preceded her in death.