Francis B. Richgels

Francis B. Richgels, age 90, of  Lancaster, died on Thursday, July 31, 2008, at the Don and  Marilyn  Anderson  HospiceCare  Center in  Madison. He was born on June 7, 1918, in Fennimore, the son of Barney and Elizabeth (Bunzel) Richgels. On September 2, 1941, Francis married Catherine Weber at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in  Madison. She died on  March 18, 1997. He served in the United States Army during World War II. After his service in the army, Francis and Catherine became residents of  Lancaster, where he became an independent insurance agent in 1952, owned and operated the F.B. Richgels Agency until 1975, when the agency name was changed to the Richgels Schaefer Agency, Inc. Francis retired from the insurance business in 1992.

Francis was active in the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Wisconsin and the Southwest Wisconsin Insurance Agents Association. He served on the Lancaster Zoning Board of Appeals for twenty years and as a volunteer for the cancer drives and the  United Way. He was also a board member of the Grant Regional Health Center Foundation, where he was instrumental in initiating the health center golf outing which continues as an annual event. In 1987, Francis served as co-chair of the Capital Fundraising Campaign for the current health center. He was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church, where he served as a parish trustee on the finance committee, and on the Special Gifts Campaign. Francis served as a member of the Diocesan Strategic Planning Committee and was a member and former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 2820.

Survivors include his children: Bernadette Ann (Thomas) Schaefer, and Kathryn Elizabeth (Robert) Mumm, both of Lancaster; Thomas Bernard (Karla) Richgels, Madison; Paul Anthony (Jayne) Richgels, DeForest,; Michael Joseph (Ann) Richgels, Onalaska; and Teresa Ruth (Loren) Alderson, Fennimore; twenty-seven grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; one son-in-law, Al Turner, Rockville, MD; two brothers: Lawras Richgels, Madison; and Jerome (Ann) Richgels, North Saint Paul, MN.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Francis was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Frances Turner, and a great-granddaughter, Caitlin Elizabeth Recker, as well as two sisters and five brothers.

Francis's greatest joy in life was his family and his grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on  Monday, August 4, 2008, at St. Clement Catholic Church in  Lancaster at  10:30 a.m. with Father William Seipp officiating. Burial was in St. Clement Cemetery, Lancaster. Friends called from  4:00 p.m. until  8:00 p.m. on  Sunday, August 3, 2008 at St. Clement Catholic Church in  Lancaster and from  9:30 a.m. until time of services on  Monday, August 4, 2008 at the church.