Francis D. Wilson was born on September 22, 1923 in Blairsburg, Iowa to Charles and Gladys (DeMoss) Wilson. Blairsburg is a small town, but was fundamental in shaping who he would become as a person. He eventually left Blairsburg, but Blairsburg never left him. Even in his final year, as his words became scarce, he would ask about Blairsburg.
Barely out of his teens, he was sent across the world to fight in WWII, an experience that for ever shaped his world view and provided him with an appreciation for everything he did and had thereafter. He often told the same war stories. But his stories never grew like fish tales. No, they were heavy enough in truth. He told a story about encountering a group of German soldiers as the war was coming to a close. They were young guys, like him. And he realized at that moment, that they were all the same in that none of them wanted to be there. He served his country with honor and dignity, and was always proud of that service.
After the war, Francis met Carma Marie Brofer. They were married on August 13, 1950 in Jackson, MN. They eventually settled in Perry where they filled their big house with four sons. They were active members of the Perry community and of the First Christian Church. Francis worked for many years at the Wiese Corporation. He worked his way from laborer to the postition of Executive Senior Vice President before eventually retiring. Francis and Carma traveled extensively, but their travels were always centered around appreciating history and learning more about the world. For over a decade, they could often be found in webbed lawn chairs watching their grandchildres's softball and baseball games.
Francis passed away Monday, September 11, 2017 at the Perry Lutheran Home at age of 93.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister, a grandchild and his beloved wife, Carma on December 9, 2014.
Francis' nickname was "Bow", from what family says, his sister couldn't say "Brother" but she could say "Bow" and that nickname stuck with him for the rest of his life.
Francis was awarded a Purple Heart for a freezing stint in a WWII foxhole which seemed to put him on a never ending quest for warmth. He was given full Military Rites at his funeral.
Barely out of his teens, he was sent across the world to fight in WWII, an experience that for ever shaped his world view and provided him with an appreciation for everything he did and had thereafter. He often told the same war stories. But his stories never grew like fish tales. No, they were heavy enough in truth. He told a story about encountering a group of German soldiers as the war was coming to a close. They were young guys, like him. And he realized at that moment, that they were all the same in that none of them wanted to be there. He served his country with honor and dignity, and was always proud of that service.
After the war, Francis met Carma Marie Brofer. They were married on August 13, 1950 in Jackson, MN. They eventually settled in Perry where they filled their big house with four sons. They were active members of the Perry community and of the First Christian Church. Francis worked for many years at the Wiese Corporation. He worked his way from laborer to the postition of Executive Senior Vice President before eventually retiring. Francis and Carma traveled extensively, but their travels were always centered around appreciating history and learning more about the world. For over a decade, they could often be found in webbed lawn chairs watching their grandchildres's softball and baseball games.
Francis passed away Monday, September 11, 2017 at the Perry Lutheran Home at age of 93.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister, a grandchild and his beloved wife, Carma on December 9, 2014.
Francis' nickname was "Bow", from what family says, his sister couldn't say "Brother" but she could say "Bow" and that nickname stuck with him for the rest of his life.
Francis was awarded a Purple Heart for a freezing stint in a WWII foxhole which seemed to put him on a never ending quest for warmth. He was given full Military Rites at his funeral.
Francis D. Wilson was born on September 22, 1923 in Blairsburg, Iowa to Charles and Gladys (DeMoss) Wilson. Blairsburg is a small town, but was fundamental in shaping who he would become as a person. He eventually left Blairsburg, but Blairsburg never left him. Even in his final year, as his words became scarce, he would ask about Blairsburg.
Barely out of his teens, he was sent across the world to fight in WWII, an experience that for ever shaped his world view and provided him with an appreciation for everything he did and had thereafter. He often told the same war stories. But his stories never grew like fish tales. No, they were heavy enough in truth. He told a story about encountering a group of German soldiers as the war was coming to a close. They were young guys, like him. And he realized at that moment, that they were all the same in that none of them wanted to be there. He served his country with honor and dignity, and was always proud of that service.
After the war, Francis met Carma Marie Brofer. They were married on August 13, 1950 in Jackson, MN. They eventually settled in Perry where they filled their big house with four sons. They were active members of the Perry community and of the First Christian Church. Francis worked for many years at the Wiese Corporation. He worked his way from laborer to the postition of Executive Senior Vice President before eventually retiring. Francis and Carma traveled extensively, but their travels were always centered around appreciating history and learning more about the world. For over a decade, they could often be found in webbed lawn chairs watching their grandchildres's softball and baseball games.
Francis passed away Monday, September 11, 2017 at the Perry Lutheran Home at age of 93.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister, a grandchild and his beloved wife, Carma on December 9, 2014.
Francis' nickname was "Bow", from what family says, his sister couldn't say "Brother" but she could say "Bow" and that nickname stuck with him for the rest of his life.
Francis was awarded a Purple Heart for a freezing stint in a WWII foxhole which seemed to put him on a never ending quest for warmth. He was given full Military Rites at his funeral.
Barely out of his teens, he was sent across the world to fight in WWII, an experience that for ever shaped his world view and provided him with an appreciation for everything he did and had thereafter. He often told the same war stories. But his stories never grew like fish tales. No, they were heavy enough in truth. He told a story about encountering a group of German soldiers as the war was coming to a close. They were young guys, like him. And he realized at that moment, that they were all the same in that none of them wanted to be there. He served his country with honor and dignity, and was always proud of that service.
After the war, Francis met Carma Marie Brofer. They were married on August 13, 1950 in Jackson, MN. They eventually settled in Perry where they filled their big house with four sons. They were active members of the Perry community and of the First Christian Church. Francis worked for many years at the Wiese Corporation. He worked his way from laborer to the postition of Executive Senior Vice President before eventually retiring. Francis and Carma traveled extensively, but their travels were always centered around appreciating history and learning more about the world. For over a decade, they could often be found in webbed lawn chairs watching their grandchildres's softball and baseball games.
Francis passed away Monday, September 11, 2017 at the Perry Lutheran Home at age of 93.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister, a grandchild and his beloved wife, Carma on December 9, 2014.
Francis' nickname was "Bow", from what family says, his sister couldn't say "Brother" but she could say "Bow" and that nickname stuck with him for the rest of his life.
Francis was awarded a Purple Heart for a freezing stint in a WWII foxhole which seemed to put him on a never ending quest for warmth. He was given full Military Rites at his funeral.
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