Fran Leistikow: mom, caregiver to many, organizer, and doer extraordinaire (1957-2013). Frances A. Leistikow (formerly Schurer, nee Hamric), age 55, passed away with her family by her side on early Thursday morning, January 10, 2013, after a battle with complications of advanced kidney cancer. Fran was born on June 15, 1957 in Sacramento, and was a lifelong resident of the area. She will be remembered for her fierce compassion; constant optimism; dedication to family; ability to organize chaos; and strong love for life, helping, friends, education, art, activity groups and more.

As the eldest daughter in a large family, Fran grew from helping care for her siblings, to quietly and diligently facilitating fun, communication and beauty for her extended family and the wider community. She used her many talents to help organize and give back to the State of California and its workers, schools, churches, the Sacramento Walking Sticks and other walking clubs, cub scouts, mothers of multiples club, swim club, friends, neighbors, graduate students, and others.

Beginning in 1975, for 27 years, Fran worked for the State of California primarily in the Department of Health Services then the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Commercial Vehicle Section Training Unit. While at the CHP, and then while at home raising twins, she helped coordinate The Continuing Challenge, a large annual conference to train first responders in handling hazardous materials emergencies.

She is survived by her husband, Bruce; daughter, Jennifer (Christine), who is expecting Fran’s first grandchild in early March; young sons, James and Michael; mother, Carolyn Hamric; siblings, Delven, Randy (Michelle), Liz (Marty), Keith, Chris (Aimee), Dave (Lisa), Julie (Lalo), and Sarah; and scores of close family and friends. Those whose lives Fran touched are invited to a funeral service at The United Methodist Church of Davis, 1620 Anderson Road, Davis, at 10 a.m. with reception to follow on Saturday, January 19, 2013. Visitation will also be held the prior day, Friday, January 18, 2013, from 2 p.m.-8 p.m. at River City Funeral Chapel, 910 Soule St., West Sacramento. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in remembrance of Fran to the charities listed below that she or her sons favored and/or a charity of your choice. We thank you with all our heart! The American Cancer Society (cancer.org) for early detection of kidney cancer in cases of iron deficiency anemia. Sacramento Walking Sticks (SacramentoWalkingSticks.org): 400+ friends organizing funwalks locally to internationally. They kept Fran, her family, and others actively enjoying new and familiar places, folks, and foods. The Continuing Challenge (hazmat.org): Providers of safe response training for emergency responders to hazardous materials incidents affecting public health and the environment Camp Kesem (CampKesem.org/ucdavis): A student-run fun-filled summer camp free to kids of parents with cancer. Association of Science-Technology Centers’ passport program (astc.org): A global network of 300+ free by reciprocity science centers encouraging curiosity, education, and awareness of social and global issues for all ages.