Francis Hestermann

Francis Henry Hestermann was born on April 15, 1927 on the farm, north of Ludell, Kansas to Henry and Emma (Niermeier) Hestermann. He was the 10th of 12 children raised by Henry and Emma. He died on June 25, 2016 at the Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas at the age of 89. Fran was baptized into the Lutheran faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ludell, on April 24, 1927. He was confirmed on April 14, 1940.

Fran graduated from Atwood Community High School in 1944. In January of 1945 he went to Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, Illinois.

In January of 1946, Fran was drafted into the United States Army and served at Camp Lee, Virginia. After completing his service, he was honorably discharged at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX.

Fran married Carol Lee Focke on September 4, 1955. To this union four children were born, Michael, Michelle, David, and Dianne.

Fran was engaged in farming with his brother Bud until 1984. He worked at a variety of jobs throughout his life. Fran worked for the ASCS office as a fieldman, Leichliter Implement Co., Farmers State Bank of Ludell, and Reeves Grain Fumigation before retiring in 1996.

Fran was very involved with Lutheran Brotherhood, a fraternal organization raising thousands of dollars for many causes. He was active with Alcoholics Anonymous and was always willing to offer support and guidance to anyone wanting to help themselves to quit drinking. Fran was the organizer for the Red Cross Blood Mobile for many years. He served on the Atwood City Library Board, Rawlins County Prevention Board, and as chairman for Trinity Lutheran Church.

Fran loved playing softball and taught his children to enjoy the sport as well. Fran was a crack shot and enjoyed shooting sports and hunting. He appreciated all types of music including Polkas, Blues, Country and Classical. Fran was a member of the church choir for 65 years. One of his greatest pleasures was listening to his family members performing or singing. He loved to read, especially anything about history and westerns or the western lifestyle. He was a good horseman in his day and loved working with and riding horses.

Fran loved his family dearly and is survived by his wife Carol of Atwood; his children, Michael and wife Cindy, of Colorado Springs, CO, Michelle Stevens, David Hestermann and wife Deanne, all of Atwood, and Dianne Vap and husband Allan, of Ludell. Grandchildren include Riley (Alison) Hestermann, Lindsay (Jeff) St. Gelais; Stefanie (Mario Lozoya) Stevens, Sean Stevens; Taylor (Audrey) Vap, Dylan (Amanda) Vap and Anna Lea Vap. Great grandchildren are Jackson, Avaley and Colton Hestermann; Harper St. Gelais; Chesney and Landrick Vap. Fran is also survived by brother Loris Dean (Bud) Hestermann and wife Betty, of Atwood; sister Norma Wegener of Norton, KS; sister-in-law Mary Ann Holle of Atwood, and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation is 4-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood. Funeral Service is 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 30, 2016 at the Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Atwood, with burial to follow in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Ludell. Memorials are suggested to God’s Little Saints Preschool or the Atwood Public Library, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information: www.baalmannmortuary.com