Van Buren--- Nelka LeFrancois, 76, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at a Caribou hospital. She was born in Siegas, NB, Canada, a daughter of the late Euclide and Louise (Tardif) Desjardins.

Nelka was a devoted parishioner of St. Bruno-St. Remi Church, Van Buren, and a long-time member of the Columbiettes, Red Hat Society, and Daughters of Isabella. She worked a brief time assembling shoes for former Converse Shoe, Presque Isle, but loved helping area residents with their home care needs for several years. Nelka, a dedicated mother and grandmother, adored babysitting her children, grandchildren, and many of Van Buren's local kids.

She is survived by: two sons, Bernard and Gerald LeFrancois of Van Buren; six grandchildren, Susan, Salina, Dawn, Brandon, Stephanie and Adam; eight great grandchildren, Hannah, Emma, Blayze, Ellie, Khloe, Wyatt, Anthanie and Roger; a brother, Jeannot Desjardins; four sisters, Hermaine Michaud, Juliette Tardif, Huguette Michaud and Martine Desjardins; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Nelka was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Gerard LeFrancois in 2008, two brothers, Harold and Odeo Desjardins, and three sisters, Ghislaine Violette, Ursule Ouellette and Mildred Carrier.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated privately by Nelka's family, and interment will be in Grand River Cemetery. Arrangements a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren.