Francis Wurzer

Tuesday, April 14, 2015 3:24 pm

Francis Wurzer, 91, of St. Lucas, died Thursday, April 9, 2015, at the Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 13, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, with Rev. Nick March officiating. Mass servers are Dennis Boyer and Roger Langreck. Organist is Kathy Meyer. Cantor is Gerald Hurst. St. Luke’s Choir will sing “Amazing Grace,” “You Are Mine,” “Taste and See” and “Prayer of St. Francis.” Lector is Clair Dietzenbach. Offertory gift bearers are Wayne Wurzer, Melissa Ponce and Julian Ponce. Eucharistic ministers are Barb Reicks, Sheila Reicks, Germaine Langreck and Duane and JoAnn Wurzer. Honorary casket bearers are all of Francis’ granddaughters. Casket bearers are Francis’ grandsons. Interment is at St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery in St. Lucas. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, Fort Atkinson.

Francis John Wurzer was born May 23, 1923, the son of Konrad and Barbara (Kuennen) Wurzer on the Wurzer family farm near St. Lucas. Francis attended St. Luke’s Catholic School and helped on the family farm. He was united in marriage to Margaret Smith June 5, 1951, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, 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 63 years, Margaret Wurzer, St. Lucas; eight children: Wayne (Diane) Wurzer, Solon; Lauren Wurzer, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Don (Jo) Wurzer, La Crosse, Wis.; Jan (George) McCune, La Crescent, Minn.; Jeannie (Bill) Springer, Vinton; Leon (Dawn) Wurzer, Toddville,; Lloyd (Janice) Wurzer, West Union; and Sherry (Corey) Buchheit, Fort Atkinson; 21 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; six sisters: Sister Theophane Wurzer, Lowell, Mich.; Irma Hageman, Lawler; Rosaria Einck, Festina; Alvina Hemesath-Murray, Lawler; Alma Hemesath, Ossian; and Doris Smith, Fort Atkinson; two sisters-in-law, Evelyn (Sis) Wurzer, Waucoma and Ida Ameling of Fort Atkinson; 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.