Champion – “Loved you yesterday, love you still, always have, always will.”
It has been three weeks since Mom passed. Dad, may your broken heart be healed as you reunite with Mom in Heaven.
Francis J. Servais 91, of Champion, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, December 8, 2021.
He was born on March 29, 1930, in Champion, to the late Isaac J. Servais and Virginia J. (Le Fevre) Servais.
Francis and Ethelreda were united in marriage on June 19, 1954, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Champion.
Francis was the oldest of seven children growing up on the Servais Family Homestead. He attended Champion Graded State School and continued his education at St. Norbert and Catholic Central in Green Bay.
In 1954, he was drafted into the United States Army as a member of the Sixth Armored Division at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, where he received Armor Track Vehicle Maintenance training. Francis earned the Expert Rifle Man award for his battalion. When they returned home, Francis and Ethelreda established their Homestead and Dairy Farm where they farmed for 41 years while raising seven children. In addition to farming, he also enjoyed custom combining for many of the local farmers.
Faith was especially important and it guided Francis throughout his entire life. He was proud of receiving his sacraments at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Champion. His involvement with the church included being an usher and a member of The Holy Name Society. He was also involved in the Annual Church Picnic with his famous car show and gimmick trophies. As a member of the American Legion Ralph Kline Post 262, Francis honored the veterans, on Memorial Day, by placing an American Flag on their gravesite. Every year in May and August, he was devoted to carrying the canopy during the procession of the Blessed Sacrament at The Chapel, Our Lady of Good Help, in Champion.
Anyone that knew Francis, knew that he was a collector of anything and everything. He was known for his lawn art and Champion EAA display. Along with entertaining people with his collections, he also drew people in with storytelling and witty jokes as well as socializing with the Nifty Fifty Car Club and their monthly get togethers. He enjoyed snowmobiling in the winter and boating in the summer at their family cottage on the bay.
Most important was family: Survivors include his children Randy (Marion) Servais of New Franken; Shari Vogel of Kiel; Ken (Anne) Servais of New Franken; Mike (Kim Anders) Servais of Green Bay; Nancy (Kevin) Zellner of New Franken; Joan (Cary) Dequaine of New Franken; Ann (Bill) Freeman of New Franken; grandchildren: Nathan (Lisa), Brad, Jason, Sarah, (Max), Brett (Carli), Lance (Skye), Ryan (Shannon), Nick (Morgan), Josh (Melissa), Nathan, Alycia (Mike), Beth, Emily (Dustin), Rebecca (Micah); great grandchildren: Kaia, Ashton, Adler, William, Zachary, Jackson, Brooklyn, Hudson, Weston, Jayden, Nathan; brothers and sisters: Norris (Agnes) Servais, Joyce Jandrain, Alden (Marie) Servais, Claire (Marv) Dax, Carol (Roger) Miller, two sisters-in-law, Angie (Marv) Deterville, Carol Ropson: nieces and nephews.
Francis was preceded in death by his wife Ethelreda Servais, his parents Isaac and Virginia Servais, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Ida Ropson, brothers-in-law, and sister-in-law: Ken Jandrain, Ron Cartier, Joseph Servais, Ardin Ropson, Ardele Cordry.
Friends may call 3:00 to 6:00 pm on Monday, December 13, 2021, at St. Joseph Church, Champion.
Closing parish prayer service at 6:00 pm on Monday with Deacon Bob Miller.
Visitation will continue between 9:00 and 10:45 am on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at St. Joseph Church. Funeral 11:00am, Tuesday at the church with Rev. Carlo Villaluz and Rev. Thomas Farrell officiating.
Entombment in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum, Green Bay. Full military honors will follow the funeral, provided by the American Legion Ralph Kline Post 262 of Luxemburg.
McMAHON FUNERAL HOME, LUXEMBURG, is assisting the Servais Family. www.mcmahonfh.com
The family would like to express a special thank you to all the friends that helped dad in so many ways, Father Lukee, Father Tom Farrell, Deacon Bob Miller, Ken Delcore, and Cheryl Maricque for their weekly visits sharing Holy Communion and prayers. Thank you to Aurora at Home Hospice (Mary, Leah, and Alicen) for the love, care, and support they provided for Francis.
