Preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Bernice, and beloved wife of 58 years, Barbara (nee Rusch). Survived by children Mark (Carla), Stephen (Annette), Marie, and Paul (Sarah), “Adopted†son Hein Lam (Annette); ten grandchildren Christopher (Nicole), Nicholas (Taylor), Gregory (Holly), Stevanna, Samantha Poole (Adam), Sophia, Michael (Rachel), Katherine Nelson (Ben), Abigail, Nathanael; nine great-grandchildren Emma, Claire, Julia, George, Sadie, Charlie, Francis, Ignatius, Lucas.
Francis was born in St. Paul on March 31, 1933. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Mortuary Science. He met Barbara while playing in the band at her brother’s wedding. He proposed to her before serving the U.S. Army as a medical corpsman at Ft. Sam Houston. They married on May 26, 1956 and had four much-loved children. Francis and Barbara loved to travel the United States, visiting historical sites on many driving vacations as a family. Spending time with the grandchildren and great grandchildren brought him immense joy and he attended all their sports activities and musical events. Holidays were a special time as he and Barbara loved decorating the house especially at Christmas by hiding the pickle on the tree for all ages to discover and with Francis playing the accordion during the annual family Christmas carol sing along. He was a man of deep faith and prayer and a long-time member of Blessed Sacrament parish. Francis excelled as an Advertising Sales Representative and retired after a career with the Pioneer Press Newspaper that spanned 41 years. Francis was also a licensed mortician, joined IBM as a Sales Representative during the infancy of computers, and was a lifetime member of the AFM Musicians Union as a drummer and accordion player. He will be dearly missed by many; his laughter and love will forever be in our hearts.
Visitation 4:00 - 8:00 pm, on Thursday November 14, 2019 at Mueller Memorial on the Parkway, 835 Johnson Parkway, St. Paul, with a Rosary Service at 4:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am, with visitation one hour prior to Mass on Friday, November 15, 2019, at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 2119 Stillwater Ave E, St. Paul. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the charity of donor’s choice. www. muellermemorial.com
