Francisca G. Woodard
PORTAGE – Francisca G. Woodard, age 78, of Portage, was peacefully called home to heaven with family by her side, on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg.
Francisca was born on May 7, 1948, in McAllen, Texas, the daughter of Niceforo and Juanita (Hernandez) Garcia. Francis attended Edinburg High School in TX, graduating in 1967. She, her mother and aunt traveled to Wisconsin to be summer seasonal workers at Del Monte Canning Factory in Arlington, WI. She met her soon-to-be husband, Frankie J. Woodard, working there. Francis and Frankie were married November 30, 1968, in McAllen, TX. They were married 47 years, until Frankie’s passing on September 24, 2016.
Francis remained a seasonal employee for Del Monte for many years. She also worked at other various jobs including Wisconsin Cheeseman, Cascade Mountain and the canning factory in Poynette. Her most significant legacy is taking care of her husband and children. They enjoyed socialization when going out to eat, watching Packer games and bowling. She had many hobbies she enjoyed such as, just being outdoors, taking care of her flowering plants, shopping for cards and gifts for relatives and friends. She liked to dance, tell stories, and knew a lot about family history. She loved animals and took many pictures. She would enlarge pictures to give away, sometimes framed. Francis never met a stranger.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda M. (Matt) Gorsuch; her son, Christopher M. Woodard; her sister, Carlota G. Rodriguez; her grandson, Ryan M. (Leah) Gorsuch; her great-grandsons, Riley and Flynn Gorsuch; her nieces, Patti Rodriguez and Heather Johnson-Rodriguez; her nephews, Rey Rodriguez, Jr., and Jaime (Stephanie) Rodriguez; her brother-in-law, Ronald (Diane) Woodard; her sisters-in-law, Helen Puckett, Bettie Conrad, Donna White and Judy Lantis; her nephews, Ronald Woodard, Jr., Daniel (Teeia) Woodard, David (Amanda) Woodard, Steven Woodard, and Daniel Babcock; many other nieces and nephews; one great-nephew; other dear relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Juan Garcia; her husband, Frankie J. Woodard; four sisters-in-law, Francis Markwardt, Sharon Woznierka, Gerrie Blunkell, and Myrtle Woodard; and her nephew, Carlos Rodriguez.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon. on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Portage United Methodist Church, with the Rev. KwangYu Lee officiating. Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the church.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon, on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Portage United Methodist Church, with the Rev. KwangYu Lee officiating. Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Portage United Methodist Church.
Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Portage, is assisting the family.
