Francis C. Von Arx

On Tuesday, February 14, 2017, Francis C. Von Arx, 91, went to Heaven to join his son, grandson, brothers, sisters, parents and a host of loved ones in our large, extended family. He was born November 3, 1925, to William J. and Emma T. (Langen) Von Arx in Bush Valley in the family home in Rural Mound Prairie Township, La Crescent, MN. He married Frances K. Fregin on July 3, 1954. Francis and Frannie farmed and raised their children on the family farm in rural La Crescent, then upon retiring, moved to Hokah, MN, in 1987. Though they retired in Hokah, Francis continued to be involved in assisting and advising his sons, Ted and Charlie, who farmed and worked in town. Francis was also involved in volunteering at St Peter’s School and Church, making sure class after class of youngsters were getting proper nourishment and learning to sing and even learning some choice ‘sayings’ for which Francis has always been famous. He helped with a myriad of duties from accounting/bookkeeping to folding pie boxes and everything in between.

Francis will be missed by all who knew him. He taught us all right from wrong and work ethics, “old school” honor, honesty, self-respect, love of God and so much more. We can all strive to teach our children what we have learned from Francis and all of our Aunts and Uncles. He was a man of great faith, dignity, respect, always good for a glass of wine, a game of cards or a shout at the TV during Vikings or Twins games. His robust laugh, raise of an eye brow when he had something “good” to say and his impish grin when he thought he had pulled a fast one on Frannie are things we will cherish forever.

Francis is survived by Frannie, and seven of his eight children; Liz Killion (Jon Baker) of Carrollton, Illinois; Lucy Von Arx of Bloomington, IL; Ted Von Arx of rural La Crescent, MN; Tom (Janice) Von Arx of San Diego, CA; Kathryn (Tim) Hying of McHenry, IL; Sarah (Dwight) Stever of Omaha, NE; and John (Amy) Von Arx of Rice Lake, WI; siblings Marguerite Sheehan, Delores Benz and Rita Hayes, sisters in law Betty Von Arx, Rita Von Arx, Teddy Von Arx and Susie Sanford. Francis is Grampa to a host of grandchildren-Klaus and Katrina Von Arx; step-grandchildren Greg and Nick Killion, Jodie (Killion) Stendeback, Jeanne (Killion) Varble, and Mike Killion; Andre, Alec and Keaton Von Arx; John ‘JT’ Von Arx; Madeline, Evan, Monica and Elizabeth Hying; Mitchell and Kamryn Stever and Jacob and Ashley Von Arx.   He is also survived by Step-great grandchildren Lauren, Erin and Olivia Killion, William and Nolan Killion, Matilynn and Ian Conrad, Ethan and Caden Stendeback, Allison, Brant, Cameryn and Jude Varble, and Jacob and Lucus Killion. He was preceded in death by his son, Charles Francis Von Arx on February 8, 2014, Son in law, Gerald Killion on August 9, 2008, and grandson Nathan Stever on March 26, 2002. Francis was also preceded in death by his parents William J. and Emma T. Von Arx, siblings and spouses Alfred and Evelyn Von Arx, Otto and Marjorie Von Arx, Paul Von Arx, Bernice and Don Cavanaugh, George and Liz Von Arx, Walter Von Arx, Les Sheehan, Jacob and Jean Von Arx, Helen and Bill Hoskins, Joe and Phyllis Von Arx, Don Benz, Bill Hayes, William Von Arx and Dick Sanford.

A Mass of Christian burial, officiated by Fr. Bob Horihan, will be at 10:30 am Monday, February 20, 2017 at St. Peters Catholic Church, Hokah, MN, with final respects starting at 9:30 am, before Funeral service. Burial with military rites by the Gittens-Leidel American Legion Post 595, La Crescent, will be in Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Hokah. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm Sunday at St Peters Church with Rosary at 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Peter’s School in Hokah, MN.

The family of Francis Von Arx would like to thank the staff at Valley View Care and Rehab and Gundersen-Lutheran for the care and concern shown in these past months for both Francis and Frannie. We would also like to thank the students and staff of St Peters School, all the family, friends and neighbors that have kept our parents and family in their prayers. The acts of kindness extended to our parents by all has been so gratifying and too numerous to mention.