Francine "Footie" Kay (Gotchie) Smith

Francine Kay Smith ‘Footie’, 68 of Pipeline Road in Ball Club, Minnesota began her journey from her home on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

Francine was born to Leo A. Gotchie Sr. and Phyliss Ann Gotchie on May 19, 1958, in Cass Lake, Minnesota.

She grew up in the Deer River and Ball Club areas. Many of her years were spent cooking, she loved cooking. She cooked for many years at the Palace Casino and later went on to cook for the Elderly Nutrition Program where she would eventually retire from. In her spare time, you could always find her on her favorite Keno machine at White Oak or out cruising around visiting her many friends.

She held a special place for her family and many friends, she loved generously.

Family welcoming Francine into the spirit world are her parents; Leo A. Gotchie Sr., and Phyliss Ann Gotchie, her husband; Timothy Smith Sr., grandson; Benjamin Scott Fairbanks, brother; Charles Gotchie, and sister; Michelle ‘Pippi’ Gotchie.

She will be missed by her children; Dawn Gotchie, Leah Gotchie, Marcie Gotchie, Lacy (Phil) Johnson, Timothy ‘TJ’ Smith Jr., Travis (Shawntae) Smith and Lori Smith. Her 27 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Brothers; Leo A. Gotchie Jr., Larry Gotchie, Benjamin (Elaine) Gotchie, and Milton Gotchie, George and Andrew Partridge-Gotchie Sisters; Myrna Gotchie, Bernedette Gotchie and Nancy (Jason) Gotchie. And her many nieces and nephews that held a special place with her.

Wake services for Francine will begin after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2025, and continue until her 10:00 a.m traditional burial on Friday, November 21, 2025, all to be held at the Ball Club Community Center in Ball Club, Minnesota. Mike Nedeau will be her spiritual advisor. Helping lay her to rest will be her two sons; Timothy ‘TJ’ Smith and Travis Smith, her five grandsons; Elisjsha Gotchie, Seth Fairbanks, Talance Fairbanks, Timothy Smith III and Kaison Johnson.

Her honorary pallbearers are her 27 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren & her many friends.

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