Francis John Pflibsen

Francis 'Flip' John Pflibsen, age 84 of Rochester, MN died Saturday, March 29,2025 at Benedictine Living Madonna Towers skilled nursing facility. His memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 2124 Viola Road NE, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30-11:00 at the church on Saturday. Inurnment will be at Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota.

Francis John Pflibsen was born December 4, 1940, to Ben & Leona (Hagen) Pflibsen in Ottosen, Iowa. Raised on the family farm, the youngest of seven children. He graduated from Twin Rivers High School in Bode, Iowa in 1958. He attended the General Motors training center, training as a mechanic. He then worked at Bjornson Pontiac- Humboldt motor sales. He served in the National Guard from 1963-1969. He married Karen Ruth (Sikkink) on December 22,1962, making their home in Zumbrota. He worked at Grover Auto Sales as a mechanic. He served in the Zumbrota Volunteer Fire Department from 1972 to 1983. He worked for Biewer Plumbing from 1969-1978, then for Local 6 Plumbers & Pipefitters - Maas, HiMEC and Rochester Plumbing and Heating from 1978 until retiring in 2002.

He was a member of United Redeemer Lutheran Church from 1962-2005 and the Zumbrota Lions Club.

He moved to Rochester in 2005 where he served on the board for the Greens Townhouse Community. He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church from 2005 until his death.

In his free time, he enjoyed gardening, spending time outside, and attending activities with his grandchildren. He enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, car shows and maintaining his vehicles, teaching life skills to his children and grandchildren, playing cards, and going out to eat.

He is survived by his daughters, Louise Durst of Rochester and Stacia (Mark) Rosenau of Saint James. His grandchildren, Kassie Durst and Nick Durst of Rochester, Ashlyn Rosenau of Saint James and Jace Rosenau of Rochester. His brother-in-law Alan Sikkink of Zumbrota. As well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen (Sikkink) Pflibsen, his parents, Ben and Leona Pflibsen, son-in-law, Kraig Durst, siblings, Darlene Pflibsen, Bernadine Roberts, Garmen (Ardith) Pflibsen, Donald (Betty) Pflibsen, Marlyn (Janice) Pflibsen, and Vernon (Shari) Pflibsen and in-laws Arnold & Sharon Groszbach, and Arlys Sikkink.

Memorials are preferred to Crown Hill cemetery in Preston, Mayo Hospice and Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Pflibsen family.