Francis J. Monahan — Altura

Francis J. Monahan, 77, of Altura, died Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield.

Francis was born Sept. 9, 1936, in Winona, to John J. and Lorrene (Ahern) Monahan. His mother died when he was a child. Francis father then married Winifred Rader. He attended country school in rural Altura and graduated from Holy Trinity School in Rollingstone. Francis married Lorraine Subra in 1958. They were later divorced. Francis farmed all of his career in Winona County.

Faith, farming and family were the centerpieces of his life. Francis was a very religious man who recited the rosary daily. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Lewiston. Francis enjoyed farm toys, farm shows and steam engine shows. He was a great visitor who enjoyed time spent visiting with his neighbors. He also enjoyed his dogs, Winston and Speedy. He especially liked taking Winston on the tractor during his favorite farming job, making hay. In addition to farming, Francis took great pleasure in working with his son, Dan, in his cattle hoof trimming business. Francis was a compassionate man who was full of wisdom. He was always willing to respectfully share his advice.

Francis is survived by his stepmother, Winifred of Winona; four children, Juliann (Michael) Mueller of Lime Springs, Iowa, Michael (Bev) Monahan of River Falls, Wis., Dan (Linda) Monahan of Plainview and Lee (Lesley Lyons) Monahan of Miami Beach, Fla.; 12 grandchildren, Nathan, Gabrielle, Ashley, Crystal, Carrie, Katie, Angel, Cheyenne, Brady, Corey, Ethan and Justine; 11 great-grandchildren, Kaydence, DJ, Zachary, Sophia, America, Zaniel, Taitem, William, Elaina, Vincent and Jaxson; and four siblings, Mary Gernes of Witoka, William (Lucy) Monahan of Altura, Pat (Harry) Tucker of Indianapolis, Ind., and Anne (Charlie) Kramer of Minnieska.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father.

There will be a funeral Mass for Francis at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Lewiston, with the Rev. Timothy Hall officiating. Burial will be at St. Marys Cemetery in Winona.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview, where there will be a prayer service at 4:45 p.m. and the rosary will be recited following the visitation. There will also be a visitation at church one hour prior to the funeral Mass.

Leave a memory of Francis and sign his online guestbook at hofffuneral.com .