Frances "Frankie" Holzbach

Frances F. "Frankie" Holzbach died Saturday, January 17, 2026, in Portage, Michigan, her home of many decades. She had recently turned 88 and was surrounded by friends and family, including her daughter Sandy.

Born in Dixon, Illinois, on December 3, 1937, to Joseph and Nicolina Ridolph, Frankie moved with her parents and older sister, Eileen, to Cadillac, Michigan in 1945. After attending Franklin School and Cadillac Senior High School (Class of 1955), she enrolled at Western Michigan University, joined the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority there, and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science teaching degree in art. The next six years, until 1965, were spent teaching art in Hillsdale, Michigan, and in the Portage public school system. 

On August 12, 1964, Frankie married James Holzbach, with whom she had two beloved daughters, Teresa and Sandy. "You are both," she once wrote, "super, beautiful, intelligent girls of whom I've always been proud."

Creative since childhood, Frankie intermittently drew and painted for most of her life, picking up oil painting again at age 85 after an extended break. She signed her works "Fuzz," short for Fuzzy, a newer nickname she came to embrace. She was musical, too, singing and playing percussion in her church music group at St. Catherine of Siena in Portage, where she served as liturgical coordinator from 1980 to 2005. 

Frankie was also a big believer in good health through prevention and co-founded Pathfinder International. Later renamed Healthy Alternatives, the company offered natural remedies for health and well-being. The scent of essential oils was ever-present in Frankie's house.

Preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Teresa, who died in 2016, Frankie is survived by her daughter Sandy (Mike); her grandchildren Grace, Audrey, and Kaia; her sister Eileen (Lou); her niece Angela; Angela's daughters Giavonna (Emily) and Bianca; and her nephew Brian (Cat). She also leaves behind her surrogate family, longtime friend and business partner Sue Jones, Sue's son Kevin, his wife Jodie, and their two daughters, Taylor and Katelyn. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Zhang Senior Center (Community West Room), 203 E. Centre Avenue, Portage, MI 49002, on Sunday, May 31, 2026. A service will be held from 3 pm to 4 pm (EST), followed by a visitation from 4 pm to 6 pm. Small bites and beverages will be provided. Frankie loved colorful clothing, so please feel free to dress accordingly.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Frankie's honor to Kairos Dwelling, 2945 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Frances' guestbook and/or share a memory with her family.

The Holzbach family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 129 South Grand Street, Schoolcraft, MI 49087. 269-679-5622..