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BORN
1930
DIED
2011
Francis Dichtel Obituary
He was born May 19, 1930, in Milladore, WI, to Frank and Clara Dichtel, and lived most of his childhood in Hill City, MN. He played baseball and graduated from St. John's University in Collegeville, MN., and remained a proud "Johnnie" until the day he died. After several years in the Minneapolis area, he moved to Cary, IL, commuting into Chicago daily to continue a long career at Montgomery Wards, followed by a second career in real estate. He was very active at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Parish in Cary and was a man of great faith.
In 1991, he and his wife, Mary, moved to Green Valley to enjoy their retirement. Green Valley offered Mary and Francis an active social life, where he sang in the choir at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, took daily walks in the shadow of the beautiful Santa Rita mountains, and traveled the world with Mary.
"Grandpa from Zona" was cherished by his children, grandchildren and friends. He will be greatly missed for his kindness, positive attitude and unwavering faith in God. He is survived by two daughters, Christine (Tom) Layshock and Sharon (Jeff) Mills; 10 grandchildren, Jason, Nicole (Jeff), Scott (Amy), Heather, Hannah, Grayson, Shane, Evynn, Madeline and Henry; three great-grandchildren, Cali, Keira and Travis; and a sister, Viola.
He was preceded in death by three children, Ann, James and Steven; his brother, Vernon (Bud); his sister, Marian; and his beloved wife, Mary in 2008.
In his remembrance, please extend a random act of kindness or sing, rather loudly, a few bars of "Hello Dolly."
The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 1, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 410 N. First St., Cary.
Memories and Condolences
for Francis Dichtel
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30 Entries
Chris Layshock
August 21, 2012
Your house is now in the hands of a nice couple from Minnesota. I think you would be pleased :)
Jason Ahlstrom
July 15, 2011
Chris and Sharon, I'm so sorry to hear about your father's passing. I have so many wonderful memories of our time together on ol' East James Way. I clearly remember pulling up a chair next to Fran in the back yard and talking with him. He was kind and patient and treated me, a mere boy, with respect. My prayers go out to you and your family, and I hope to catch up with you soon.
Naisy Hanson
June 30, 2011
Chris,
Very sorry to hear about your father. May you find comfort in knowing he is enjoying his new life with our Creator. May he rest in peace.
Hugs~
Naisy and Bob Hanson
Lara Falconer
June 23, 2011
Christine and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. Your family has shown such great strength in these difficult times- continue to have faith and "keep on swimming". You are in our prayers for comfort and peace.
Jody Eisch
June 14, 2011
Chris & Sharon, we are very sorry for your loss. Uncle Fran was indeed a wonderful, kind and caring man and he loved you both dearly. Some of my favorite memories are when he'd 'sneak' into Hill City and my first awareness of him being in town would come when on Sunday mornings when I'd hear his booming voice singing from the back of the Catholic Church. I would smile to myself and say, "Yeah! Fran & Mary are in town!" He will be missed by all who loved and knew him.
Elene Ranson
June 14, 2011
My dear Christine,
I was so truly sorry to hear about your father, he sounded like a truly wonderful person.
Who would have thought that I would be now writing to you, to offer you my deepest sympathy, which I do, you have been so kind and considerate to me over my loss that it seems so unfair that you have more losses to bare.
May god give you strength Christine, you are a very special kind lady, obviously a gift you inherited from your parents.
Phil & Colleen Oenning
June 13, 2011
At every family get together, Fran's beautiful bellowing voice would surprise and delight our children. His voice was a clear path to his true honest heart.
Melanie McGauran
June 12, 2011
Chris, I was so sorry to hear the news about your dad. What a wonderful tribute you and your sister wrote for him. It sounds like he loved life, his family, and some timeless music too! Please know my thoughts are with you and your family.
Shelley Zuniga
June 10, 2011
Chris and Sharon,
I am so sorry to hear about Fran. He was a great guy. The Zunigas will miss visiting with him. I will keep you all in my prayers as you deal with another family member gone. Please let us know if we can help with anything. I have to go now, I feel a loud version of "Hello Dolly" coming on. See you soon.
Shelley, Gonzo, Jared and Abby
Karen Smith
June 10, 2011
Holidays will not be the same without Fran breaking into song. As I told you both, the kindest man I ever met.
June 9, 2011
I feel the room swayin'...
while that ole band keeps on playin'
One of your old favourite songs from way back when...
Never heard him sing but will look forward to singing with you in his honor.
Cherish every memory and keep his spirit alive for generations to come.
Take Care Christine & family,
Love you,
Laura, Mike, and John Joseph
June 9, 2011
Chris and Sharon,
I hope you find peace in knowing your Dad is with his heavenly family now even though it is a tremendous loss for you. I knew your father through your brother Steve and my Dad Roger. He was able to spend time with him a few months ago and was so pleased that they got to talk about old times. I always remember when your Mom and Dad would stop by the house for a cold drink (usually beer) and tell stories and laugh for hours. God bless and know my prayers are with you.
Bob Stoffer
Rita Dichtel
June 9, 2011
Dear Chris and Sharon,
I am so sorry for your loss and I will miss your dad. Uncle Francis was a kind and caring man with a generous and positive spirit. I enjoyed visiting with him in Arizona when John was out there staying with him . . . . hearing him talk of a book he was reading that gave him a laugh and of his church choir and even some of what he did when he was in the service. I only wish I could have gotten to know him more. It is sad that he is gone but I am glad he is at peace now and pain-free. I know he will be missed very much by his family . . . . but we have fond memories of him to keep in our hearts.
Becky Cruz
June 9, 2011
I will miss you, Uncle Fran.
Lamaretta Kelderman
June 9, 2011
Christine and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I am certain that he will be missed and your memories of him cherished.
You are in my thoughts and I wish you all the best during this time.
Diane, John, and Anson
June 9, 2011
Chris, You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Your father was a wonderful man, and he has left you a faith legacy which can be passed down to future generations in his name. We would be honored to extend a random act of kindness in his memory.
June 8, 2011
Chris,
We are so sorry for your loss, glad you were blessed to be with him as he went in peace to be with the Lord. Our prayers are with your family.
Dian, Jeff, Payton, Mary, and Emma
June 8, 2011
I met Fran many years ago and my husband Gene and I stood up at his marriage to Mary. He was a very kind and thoughtful person, but also had a great sense of humor. He will be missed.
Dolores Martenson Smith
Kim Vander Velde
June 8, 2011
Chris and Sharon, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Laurie Dichtel
June 8, 2011
I was lucky to have met Francis at a family reunion in Las Vegas. The moment I met him I could tell he was a funny and loved by Mike, Mary, John, Paul and Rita. I remember his singing at the dinner table. I will sing for him Hello Dolly
Las Vegas Reunion 2005
Mike Dichtel
June 8, 2011
Dear Chris and Sharon,
Francis' passing is truly sad and he will be missed by all of us who loved him. He will remain in my thoughts and prayers forever.
Janet & Ray Layshock
June 8, 2011
Chris and Sharon, We are so sorry for your loss. We enjoyed having Fran as a member of our 'family' and looked forward to his visits from Arizona. He will be missed by many and remembered always. Love, Jan & Ray
Mary Dichtel-Smith
June 8, 2011
Dear Chris and Sharon...our family has lost a favorite uncle. We will miss Fran so much... his great spirit , enthusiasm, singing, joking and unconditional love. We are so sad he is gone, but glad his illness was short and is now with Mary and his family that went before him.
Candi Dirst
June 8, 2011
Dear Chris and Sharon,(my sisters) I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Fran. I will remember him as smiley and singing! I will surely belt out Hello Dolly in his honor. My thoughts prayers are with you and your families.
Hayes Ferguson
June 8, 2011
Dear Chris and Sharon,
I am so sorry for your loss. What a great smile your father had! Please know that I am thinking of you.
Best, Hayes
Clarisa, Jim, Hayden and Emma Hill
June 8, 2011
What a wonderful man to remember! You could always see on his bright face how proud we was of his family. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers as you mourn this loss as well as celebrate his life.
Erin Greiner
June 8, 2011
Chris, I am so sorry for your loss. I am thinking of you and your family.
John & Marcella Crewe
June 8, 2011
Christine and Sharon, our heartfelt sympathies to both of you and your families. While I only met him briefly, I know both of you so can only assume he along with your Mom are responsible for passing along some of the wonderful qualities we see in both of you. God bless.
June 8, 2011
Christine Layshock
June 8, 2011
You are greatly loved and will never be forgotten. Thank you for modeling the person I can only hope to be someday. I have always been so very proud to be your daughter.
Showing 1 - 30 of 30 results
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