euskalkultura.eus

02/27/2017 - Bakersfield, CA, USA

(July 25, 1925 - February, 27 2017)

Jo Frances Ansolabehere, 91, died peacefully on Monday, February 27, 2017. 

She was born to Martin and Marie Larralde in Susanville, California on July 25, 1925. 

At the age of sixteen, while attending the Reno Basque Festival, she met a young serviceman who was waiting to be deployed to Europe, Gracian Ansolabehere. The long distance romance lasted four years until their marriage at Saint Francis Catholic Church on September 22, 1945. To this union was born Jean Michel and Paul Martin Ansolabehere. Following Gracian's sudden death in 1967, Jo Frances began her career in accounting. She was very proud of the fact that she was able to put both her children through college.

Jo Frances was Secretary/Treasurer of the Kern County Basque Club from 1958 to 1974. During this time money was raised and the land was purchased for the current clubs location. In her later years, she moved to Eureka Nevada where she helped her brother Martin on his sheep ranch. She prepared many meals for the herders at sheep camp. She loved the outdoors, jig saw puzzles, needle point, quilting and helping the herders prepare their taxes.

Jo Frances was preceded in death by her husband Gracian, father and mother Martin and Marie Larralde, brother Martin Larralde, sister Marie Ansolabehere and son-in-law Anthony McClure. She is survived by her daughter Jean Michel McClure, son and daughter-in-law Paul and Jennifer Ansolabehere, granddaughters Mary, Raquel, Tianna, Lauren, Alyce, AnnMarie and eight great-grandchildren.

Services will be held Monday, March 6, 2017, at 9:30 am at Christ the King Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kern County Basque Club Scholarship Fund.

The family would like to thank the ladies at Tedenek Assisted Living for the wonderful care Jo Frances received these last four years.

Published on Mar. 3, 2017 in Bakersfield Californian, Legacy.com