Francis Krieger

Francis Krieger, 86, of Webster City, died Saturday, December 29, 2012 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, with Rev. Stephen Meyer, celebrant. Visitation will be at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and at the church prior to the Mass. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 6:45 p.m. followed by a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. Francis Joseph Krieger, son of Adolph and Elizabeth Haijsman Krieger, was born March 6, 1926 at Blairsburg. He graduated from Blairsburg Public School in 1943. He started farming with his father on the family farm north of Blairsburg. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army-Medical Corps for two years, one year in Germany. On February 13, 1954, he married Virginia (Ginny) Aller at St. Mary's Catholic Church at Keota. The couple farmed north of Blairsburg, retiring in 1988 and moving to Webster City in 1989. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ginny; sister, Dorothy Helmke of Swea City; nephews, Greg Gowdy of Milwaukee, WI; Tom (Michelle) Gowdy of Des Moines; Michael (Sharon) Helmke of Armstrong; nieces, Pat Gowdy of St. Loius, MO; LeAnn (Lance) Krumwiede of Estherville; Rhonda (Rick) Wydeven of Alexandria, VA; great-nieces and great-nephews, Chad and Danielle Helmke of Big Pine Tree, Fl; Josh and Jackson Gowdy of Ames; Joe Gowdy of Austin, TX. Francis is preceded in death by his parents; sister and brothers-in-law; Lorraine and Jack Gowdy; Junior Helmke and nephew, Doug Helmke. He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas; a 50 year member of the Elks Lodge; American Legion Post # 633 of Williams; Knights of Columbus and Blairsburg Lions Club. Francis enjoyed traveling, playing cards and having coffee with his coffee buddies each day. He was happiest when he was out in his boat fishing in Canada. His nephews and nieces were very special in his life and brought him a lot of joy. Special friends were also very important to him. Write a personal tribute or light a virtual candle for the Krieger family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com