Francis Wurzer

     Francis Wurzer, age 91, of St. Lucas, IA, died on Thursday, April 9, 2015, at Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union.       Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, April 13, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 307 East Main Street, St. Lucas, IA, with Rev. Nick March presiding. Burial will be in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas, IA.       Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, April 12, 2015 and also after 9:30 a.m., on Monday morning at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 307 East Main Street, St. Lucas, IA.      Francis John Wurzer was born on May 23, 1923, the son of Konrad and Barbara (Kuennen) Wurzer on the Wurzer family farm near St. Lucas, IA. Francis attended St. Luke’s Catholic School and helped on the family farm. He was united in marriage to Margaret Smith on June 5, 1951, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA, and to this marriage, eight children were born. Together Francis and Margaret farmed until they retired in 1994. Francis enjoyed league bowling for many years and traveling to visit family throughout the United States. He had a unique sense of humor and practical jokes and storytelling were a huge part of his life. In retirement, Francis enjoyed cruisin’ the neighborhood in his “Doodle-bug”, playing cards with his family and feeding the hummingbirds. His greatest enjoyment was his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. Francis was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church and the Catholic Order of Foresters in St. Lucas.      Francis is survived by his loving wife of sixty-three years, Margaret Wurzer, St. Lucas, IA. Eight children: Wayne (Diane) Wurzer, Solon, IA; Lauren Wurzer, Oklahoma City, OK; Don (Jo) Wurzer, LaCrosse, WI; Jan (George) McCune, LaCrescent, MN; Jeannie (Bill) Springer, Vinton, IA; Leon (Dawn) Wurzer, Toddville, IA; Lloyd (Janice) Wurzer, West Union, IA; and Sherry (Corey) Buchheit, Fort Atkinson, IA. Twenty-one grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Six sisters: Sister Theophane Wurzer, Lowell, MI; Irma Hageman, Lawler, IA; Rosaria Einck, Festina, IA; Alvina Hemesath-Murray, Lawler, IA; Alma Hemesath, Ossian, IA; and Doris Smith, Fort Atkinson, IA. Two sisters-in-law: Evelyn (Sis) Wurzer, Waucoma, IA, and Ida Ameling of Fort Atkinson, IA, along with many nieces and nephews.        Francis was preceded in death by his parents: Konrad and Barbara Wurzer. His father-in-law and mother-in-law: Irvin and Agnes Smith. Daughter-in-law: Sally (Hoey) Wurzer. Francis’ siblings and their spouses: Tony (Marcella) Wurzer, Edwin Wurzer, Ann (Roman) Kuennen, Carl (Lorraine) Wurzer, Alvin (Lorelie) (Carolyn) Wurzer, Sister and brothers-in-law: Bertha (Bud) Dority, Florian Hageman, Norbert Einck, Eddie Hemesath, Jim Murray, Charlie Hemesath. Clarence Ameling, Alvin Smith, along with several nieces and nephews.