Francis Joseph Schaefer of Whitehall and formerly of Arcadia, passed to eternal life at the age of 91, with his wife, Gisela of 54 years at his side, surrounded by family, on Saturday, August 9, 2014, at Gundersen Tri-County Hospital in Whitehall, WI. Francis was born in Arcadia, WI on October 30, 1922, to Joseph and Mary (Wenzel) Schaefer.
Francis attended St. Aloysius Catholic School until 8th grade. He graduated from Arcadia High School in 1940. He moved to Seattle, Washington to work in the Shipyard for four years. He then returned to the Arcadia area to work as a blacksmith. Later Francis worked as a mason and carpenter for Rottingers in Fountain City. He later retired from Tempski Farm Supply in Arcadia.
Francis married Gisela Tullmann on February 27, 1960, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, in Arcadia. Together they raised six children: Diane (Tom) Servais, Dinah (Mark) Korpal, Patrick (Lynn) Schaefer, Roger (Kelly) Schaefer, Francis (Pam) Schaefer and Dawn (Stacy) Schaefer. Together they enjoyed family gatherings, traveling to visit family and friends, shopping trips and Sunday drives.
Francis enjoyed trout fishing and hunting with his family and friends. He was an avid Green Bay Packer and Brewer fan. At the nursing home he enjoyed word search, bingo and other activities.
Francis was blessed with a large family. He was truly a family man. Family always came first. He spent endless hours with his grandchildren.
Francis is survived by his wife , Gisela of Arcadia, his children, and 16 grandchildren: Naomi (Ted) Servais, Nadine (Kevin) Currier, Nicholas (Jennifer) Servais, Melissa (Patrick) Schock, Miranda and Holly Korpal, Hilary (JP) Korpal, Sydney (Joel) Korpal, Desirae, Skye, Alex Schaefer, Cayla (Justin) Edmison, David and Ariel Schaefer, Richie Cook and Shawn Stiehl, 14 great grandchildren: Gillian, Kyana, Emma, Nolan, Kamerin, Allaina, Amayah, Adrian, Josephine, Olivia, Natalie, Isaiah, Elizabella, Caleb, and one great granddaughter on the way in September.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents, twin infant siblings, and two great- grandchildren: Gavin Servais and Landon Currier.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday August 13, 2014, at Holy Family Parish, Arcadia, with Rev. Woodrow H. Pace officiating. Family and friends may call from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM Wednesday at the Church. Burial will be held at a later date at Calvary Cemetery, rural Arcadia.
The family would like to give special thanks to all the caregivers, his granddaughter Naomi who was his angel, Winona Health, Benedictine Nursing Home, (Arcadia Nursing Home), Gundersen Tri-County Nursing Home and all the doctors and nurses who cared for Francis.
Visitation
AUG
13.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
Holy Family Parish
223 Maple Street
Arcadia, WI 54612
Mass of Christian Burial
AUG
13.
11:00 AM (CDT)
Holy Family Parish
223 Maple Street
Arcadia, WI 54612