Francis Aloys Schoen

Francis was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on April 15, 1927, to John and Lillian (Grosskopf) Schoen. Fran was one of twelve kids in a house filled with pranks and laughter. The house on Sixth Street saw three generations of Schoen family and the door always open to family and friends. If you were a stranger it wasnt long before you were family.

Francis and Catherine (Nankivell) were married August 8, 1947, and became the third generation of owners to the house on Sixth Street, raising seven children of their own. Kathy Glasspoole (Arlington, W. Va.), Roseanne (Charles) Brabender (White Bear Lake, Minn.), Christopher Schoen (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Peter (Rosie) Schoen (Eau Claire, Wis.), Mark (Ann) Schoen (Madison, Wis.), Theresa (Tim) Thies (Chaseburg, Wis.) and Amy (Luis) Montalvo (La Crosse).

Fran raised his children to fight for the underdog, to be independent thinkers, have a sense of humor and compassion for others. Often he was the neighborhood dad and dad to many of his childrens friends. As kids there were certain rules. Education was vital, be home when he whistled and hard work. Above all quiet when the Packers played and no standing in front of the television when the game was on.

Fran wore many hats in his career: Service in the Navy at the end of WW2, and assistant director in Boy Scouts drum and Bugle Corp during the fifties, house painter, Treasurer of the United Association of Workers, Lodge 21, and for thirty plus years a detailed orientated Inspector at Plant 7 for Trane Company. Fran sent many engineers back to the drawing board. Upon retirement, dad took his detailed focus home to mom who then redirected this focus towards his grandchildren and teaching them woodworking skills and the joy of ice cream.

In addition to his children he is survived by his grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren Mark Lunde (Kyle), Keith Lunde, Christie and Mars Collins (Christian, Maelik, Vaedrik), Jennifer Glasspoole (Aiden, Chloe, Olivia), Jason & Christie Brabender (Kloee, Alana), Melissa and Kent Roe(Kyle, Kayla), Elizabeth and Alan Oner (Thorley), Anna Schoen, Joseph Schoen(Fianc Sara), John Schoen(girlfriend Kristine), Kayla Powell, Sam Powell, Tia Schoen(boyfriend Steve), Benjamin Schoen (girlfriend Sara), Jessica Schoen (boyfriend Nick), Allison Thies, Colton Thies, Jacob and Emily Thies, Brenna Thies, Titus Thies, and Malachi Thies, Casey Montalvo and Sydney Montalvo; as well as his extended family, Victoria Lee, Linda (Jerry) Powell, Peter (Theresa) OKane, and Elizabeth Fegan.

Fran, a devote Catholic, believed in involvement with which ever church he was a member (St. Wenceslaus, St. Joseph the Workman and Holy Trinity). Whether the help was fundraising, being a lector, or president of his childrens school parent organization, dad put his faith in action through works. He was a caretaker of family and friends and advocated for their wellbeing at all times.

Fran is also survived by siblings, Barbara Barum, Greg (Bonnie) Schoen, Walter (Sharon) Schoen, Richard (Jeanette) Schoen; and sisters in laws, Shirley Reading, Diane Schoen, and Faye Schoen; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Dorothy, Marilyn, Catherine, Elizabeth, Larry, Jerry and Russell; and beloved sisters and brothers in law.

Fran believed in his country, putting the American Flag on the graves of our fallen heroes and being involved with voting and voting rights. He knew you could make a difference in your corner of the world.

Family would like to thank Jackie, Beth and Kathy from the Mayo Hospice program for helping make dads last days dignified and peaceful. Thank you to Dr. Pavella and Charley for all the help and support to dad and the family. Your guidance made all the difference.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 14th, at 10:00 a.m., at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Rev. Rick Roberts will officiate. Burial, with military honors provided by American Legion Post 52 and the U.S. Navy Funeral Honors, will follow in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Family and friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, La Crosse Chapel, located at 200 West Ave. So., on Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., and at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be directed to the Mayo Clinic Health System of La Crosse Hospice Program.