Francis Schwab

Francis J. Schwab, age 94, of rural Janesville, died Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at his home. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church in Janesville with Fr. Peter Klein, Celebrant. Interment will be in the St. Ann Cemetery.  Visitation will held on Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 2-6 p.m. at Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home in Janesville, continuing an hour before services on Monday. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary held at 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Francis was born July 9, 1917 in Nobles County, Minnesota, to Emil and Bernadine (Heger) Schwab, and he was baptized at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church in Fulda. Several years later, his family moved to rural Mankato. He was confirmed at St. Peter & Paul's Catholic Church, and attended Mankato Catholic Schools. Francis was a lifelong farmer. He loved the land and the harvest season was the highlight of each year. He married Helen Marie Klinkhammer on November 27, 1954, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Owatonna, Minnesota. They farmed in the rural Mankato-Eagle Lake area, later moving to rural Janesville in 1960 where they established a dairy and crop farm. Francis loved his family. He enjoyed spending time with them and his friends, reading, and listening to music. He was a man of character whose quiet strength taught through example. He was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church, an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus, and an 83-year member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. He also was a member of the Waseca County Farm Bureau and the Minnesota Farmers Union, and was a dedicated volunteer blood donor. He was preceded in death by his wife; an infant daughter; parents; sister Marie Schwab; sisters and brothers-in-laws Catherine and LaVerne Hensel, Agnes and George Scheurer, Monica and Neal Larsen, Rita and Ralph Goettl, sister Jane Schwab; infant brother John; sister-in-law Ludmilla Klinkhammer; daughter-in-law Peggy Eustice Schwab; and granddaughters Tonya Jo and Kayla Schwab. He is survived by his four children, Thomas and wife Wendy of Mankato; Charles and wife Roxanne of rural Janesville; Mary and husband Darrell Caster of North Mankato; and Ann of Mankato; grandchildren Eric Schwab; Jared Schwab; Grant, Olivia, and Miranda Caster; and great-grandson Izaiah Schwab; brothers-in-law Gerald and wife Jane Klinkhammer of Pine City; and Edward and wife Rita Klinkhammer of Northfield.