Francis Baldus

 Visitation

After 2:30 Thursday, 12/27/2007

Rosary at 3:00

Vigil service at 7:00

Ohde Twit Funeral Home. 

Visitation will resume at 8:30 AM Friday at Holy Spirit Church prior to the funeral mass.

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 Friday, December 28, 2007

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Fr. James McCormick, officiating

Burial

Mt. Olivet Cemetery,Carroll, Iowa

Gift Bearers

Grandchildren: Dustin Baldus, Joshua Baldus, Jenna Blake, Sam Blake, Alex Blake,

Theo Baldus, Kira Baldus, Nina Christianson, Rory Bork and

Great grandchild: Addelay Christianson

Honor Guard

Maurice Dunn Post # 7 of the Carroll American Legion

Communion Ministers

Luverna Reiff and Adeline Reicks

Mass Servers

Robby Steffes and Johnny Steffes

Lector

Henry Blake

Casket Bearers

John Steffes, Cletus Windschitl, Dan Balk, Bob Kraus, Don Templemeyer, Don Kanne

Francis C. Baldus, son of Carl Louis and Mary Alice (Garland) Baldus was born October 28, 1915 in Story City, Iowa.  He graduated from high school in Story City, Iowa and received his Bachelors degree and Masters degree in Vocational Agriculture from Iowa State University. He enlisted

in the U. S. Navy and served as a lieutenant from 1942 to 1946 on the USS Windsor which was involved in the initial invasion of the islands in the south pacific.

            Francis was married to Mary Ruth Olson on June 22, 1948 in Story City, Iowa.  He was a vocational agriculture teacher and taught in Riceville for 2 1/2 years, Sibley for 17 years and Kuemper Catholic High School for 16 years from which he retired in 1981. He was commissioned an Eucharistic Minister by Bishop Frank H. Greteman in 1970.  He served frequently at daily mass until his health failed.  He was a past president of the Iowa State Vocatinal Agriculture Teachers Association and led a very active Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, winning many first place awards.  He also received awards at the Waterloo Dairy Cattle Congress and Iowa State Fair for cattle judging.  Francis was very involved with soil conservation and coached in the Carroll Little League for many years.  He was a member of Holy Spirit Parish and Mens Club, the Iowa State Alumni Association, the V.F.W., and the Maurice Dunn Post #6 of the Carroll American Legion.  His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with family and friends.  Francis also was interested in football and basketball at  Kuemper Catholic High School, Iowa State, and Notre Dame.  He also spent time gardening with flowers and vegetables, golf, and fishing.

           Francis died December 24, 2007, at the age of 92 at the Roxanne House in Fairmont, Minnesota where he had been a resident since September of 2007.                   

He is preceded in death by his parents; 8 brothers and 2 sisters; daughter-in-law Carol Kilcullen.

            Francis is survived by his wife Mary Ruth Baldus of Fairmont, Minnesota; daughter Mary Blake & husband Henry of Minnetonka, Minnesota; sons Don Baldus of Rochester, Minnesota, Jim Baldus & wife Amy Dougherty, Mound, Minnesota, David Baldus & wife Remedios of Ames, Iowa, Phil Baldus & wife Lynn of St. Ansgar, Iowa, Jeff Baldus of Sioux City, Iowa, Paul Baldus & wife Debra of Fairmont, Minnesota; 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild; brother Joseph Baldus & wife Joanne of Story City, Iowa; and sister; Mary Baldus Hadaway of Morris, Illinois; brother-in-law John Olson of Littleton, Colorado; sisters-in-law Marie Baldus of Ames, Iowa, Sue Starshak & husband Marty of Chicago, Illinois, Elaine Olson of Provo, Oklahoma, and Norma Olson of DeSoto, Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews.

            In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for Kuemper Catholic Schools and is available at the funeral home or the church.