By AAH Jack Quirk
For many Hennessey residents, the face is familiar. They may remember her as “Francie,” a Hennessey High School graduate, a teacher, a coach, or someone they have known for years. What many may not realize is that Frances Streck has now returned to the profession she first trained for, joining Bert Gritz full time at Cordry-Gritz Funeral Home as a licensed funeral director and embalmer.
Streck’s path into funeral service wasn’t exactly one she planned.
While attending college and trying to decide what career to pursue, a hairstylist suggested she would make a good funeral director. At first, she laughed off the idea, but after talking with her family and meeting with Gritz, everything changed. She transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma, earned her mortuary science degree, and completed her apprenticeship under Gritz while driving back and forth from school.
Although she became licensed in 2008, family responsibilities led her into education, where she spent several years teaching and coaching. Even then, she maintained her funeral director’s license and continued helping the funeral home whenever she could. When the opportunity arose this spring to return full time, the timing was perfect.
“It felt like coming back home,” Streck said. “I knew exactly what I was getting into, and it’s still incredibly rewarding.”
For Gritz, bringing Streck back has been a tremendous blessing.
“To hire a licensed funeral director and embalmer who grew up in this community is almost unheard of,” Gritz said. “She knows the families, and the families know her. She was the perfect fit.”
Her arrival also came at just the right time. Only days after she started, Gritz underwent surgery to repair a partially torn Achilles tendon that had bothered him for years. Having another licensed professional in the funeral home allowed the business to continue serving families without missing a beat.
As funeral service continues to evolve with electronic records, changing family traditions, and an increasing number of cremations, both Gritz and Streck remain committed to the same philosophy that has guided the funeral home for decades: treating every family with kindness, compassion, and respect.
For the community, the message is simple. Frances Streck isn’t new to funeral service. She’s simply come home.
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