Francis Hughes

Francis (Fran) Hughes Jr., age 73, of Faribault, passed away on Friday, June 10, 2011 at the District One Hospital in Faribault after an extended illness.             Memorial services will be held on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Dr., Faribault. Interment will be at the Maple Lawn Cemetery in Faribault.             Memorial visitation will be held on Monday from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the church.             Arrangements are with the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault.             Francis Joseph Hughes, the son of Francis M. Sr. and Geraldine (Fait) Hughes, was born on May 18, 1938 in Faribault. He attended Bethlehem Academy with the class of 1956. Fran first worked as a bellhop at the Faribault Hotel before working with Coca-Cola for 18 years. He was married to Nancy Vandegrift in 1965, they had two sons and were later divorced. In 1975 he married Winnie (Zabel) Barnett. Fran worked for a brief time with Kentucky Fried Chicken and George's Truck Stop before working for 25 years with Cannon Valley Publishing and Minneapolis Star Tribune. Fran enjoyed classical music, old movies, cars and motorcycles, and dining out at fine restaurants.             He is survived by his wife, Winnie of Faribault; three sons, Christopher Hughes of Stillwater, Alexander Hughes of Lake Elmo, and Eric (Abby) Hughes of Elysian; step-daughter, Lynn (Pete) Laudenschlager of Northfield; three grandchildren, Mikayla Laudenschlager and Ava and Ryder Hughes; brothers, Terrence (Caryl) Hughes, Michael (Kelly) Hughes, and Dennis Hughes, all of Faribault; sisters, Mary Kay Kuchinka of Northfield, and Joanne (Richard) Canfield of Iron River, WI;  and many other relatives and friends.             He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Peter Hughes; and brother-in-law, Donald J. Kuchinka.