Francis Uhlir

The following accounts were related to me through many sources. Some are absolutes, some are Fran's accounts, some told to me by mother, Stella Carpenter (his eldest sister), and some learned by myself. And I write it in the fashion that I believe he would approve of.

So it is with great honor I write this obituary for my uncle, Francis G. Uhlir. He quietly and gently slipped from our midst this past Wednesday, November 22nd. Four days and one hour after my mother (his sister) Stella Carpenter's passing. He truly followed his big sister home.

He had previously warned me of his passing after his last doctor's appointment on October 24th. "I will be gone within 30 days" he said. His health was very stable at that time. Did he know? Or did he perhaps decide? I believe he had decided.

Francis George Uhlir was born February 18, 1923. His 90th birthday was right around the corner but none of my reasoning would convince him to stick around for it. He missed his Caroline and his very limited physical abilities denied him the joy of life he had previously always enjoyed. Born in Wheatland Township on the family farm to his full-blooded Czech parents Frank and Rose (Trcka) Uhlir. Fran would be their first and only son. He loved his childhood on the farm and was especially fond of the time spent doing chores with is Pa. But those were also very harsh years as they lost their farm during the depression. It was because his parents had financially supported a necessary life giving operation for a relative, and ended up being overextended. And his nearby paternal grandparents farm was twice burned to the ground.

He told me of the disappointment felt as he so eagerly followed his two big sisters on his first day of country school. He was sent home the same day and instructed to learn English before returning. Only Bohemian was spoken at home.

His enthusiasm for school greatly waned and at 17 quit school to join the Merchant Marines with two other buddies, knowing he would be drafted for WWII anyway. Neither of his buddies were accepted and at that point there was no backing out for Fran. Following his Merchant Marines service, he re-enlisted in the Army during the Korean War. Many horrors of war were witnessed on his tenure at Kojo Island. Before, during, and after his service he worked with his father at the Fleck's Brewery. He later was so proud to tell that the owners would chauffer him on his wedding day. Her remembers them as the kindest and most generous family ever.

He thought Caroline Craig to be the most beautiful he had ever seen. And was certain to take her as his bride. They were married on July 22, 1953. They would be happily married for 61 years.

Fran's love of cars led them to move to Owatonna and work at Lindukel Chevrolet and the salesman in him was born. Later missing Faribault they moved back and eventually bought the Standard Oil station on Central Avenue. He prided himself on customer service and his fleet of winter snowplows. And I guess he even sold Christmas trees at the station, always a salesman.

Fran and Caroline desired children and a family of their own, but it would never happen for them. But would often open their home to their family's children whenever a need would arise. Tiring of the long hours, he sold the station after owning it for around eight years. He then gave selling real estate a try with the Ostrom Real Estate Agency. He excelled and was a top seller in the market for many years. Caroline and he began wintering in Florida at their condo and never looked back to spending any more winters in the snow.

Many years later he would switch gears again by buying the Andrews Apple Orchard. Knowing very little before buying, he worked side by side with the sellers to learn all he could about apples. It was renamed Uhlirs Orchard and a new large facility was built. They both enjoyed the orchard.

Caroline ran the books, Fran grew the apples and at seasons end, off to Florida they would flee. Their apple a day benefited them both, remaining always youthful throughout the years.

Eventually selling the orchard years later however remaining snow birds till it became too difficult to travel. They then hankered down the last few years with the rest of us.

He lost his sweet Caroline on June 25, 2014. She slipped from his presence while relaxing in her favorite chair. After six months and feeling lonely he was ready for some assisted living. He moved into Keystone Assisted Living in December of that same year. The staff and fellow residents enjoyed Fran and he enjoyed them. But he struggled throughout this transition of accepting his limited independence being a hard working active man all his life. It was so difficult to watch our strong, proud, and smart talking uncle's journey into a declining weakened and dependent man.

Walking this road with him the past couple years has been a great, great honor. He took me to country cemeteries, teaching me the family history my mother could no longer convey. We put on hundreds of miles driving the countrysides and talking the memories. We garage saled, danced every chance we got, and raised a little hell, Franny style. We fought, made up and repeated that all over again. But I respected him.

I so loved this complicated and challenging uncle of mine. His laughter and quick wit were the joy of the whole extended family. He made many life long friends and most assuredly some enemies. He had passion for life and thrived on his own unpredictability. Always keeping people guessing, and loved doing it.

He no doubt had taken Caroline on quite an adventure ride. Fran is survived by his youngest sister, Deloris (Jerry) Broin and many nieces and nephews. All his faithful to the end friends and his new Keystone family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Caroline; Parents, Frank and Rose Uhlir; Caroline's parents, Frank and Antonia (Schimek) Craig, and step-mother, Helen (Morse) Craig; Sisters and spouses, Stella and Ambrose Carpenter, Gladys and Joe (Adamek) and Elmer Roell, and Loretta and Harvey Wagener; and nephew, Darrell Wagener; his brothers-in-law and spouses, Harvey and Audrey Craig, Edward and Lorraine Craig, Richard and Jeanette Craig, and Clyde (Sonny) and Marie Craig; sisters-in-law and spouses, Arlene Craig, Patricia and Roland Helgeson, Ethel and Martin Mortenson, and Marjorie and Alan Morrow.

To honor Fran's wishes, he leaves us with a graveside ceremony with military honors on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Faribault.

He arrived in this world very unassuming and left it the same way. But everything in between was everything but that. When discussing his last wishes, I asked him what he wanted included in his obituary. His response, "Surprise me."

We all so loved you Uncle Franny and will miss your laughter, passion, and joy. You're back with your sweet Caroline. Rest in peace now.