Renna Francq

Mr. Francq died Wednesday, April 17, 2002, at Baldwin Care Center.

He was born July 16, 1916, in rural Crawford County, the son of Renna and Juanita (Rauhut) Francq. He grew up and attended schools in Girard and Osawatomie. In 1951, he moved to Baldwin, where he lived until his death.

Mr. Francq joined the U.S. Army on Dec. 23, 1940, and served with the 127th Field Artillery Battalion in the battles of Normandy, northern France, Rhineland, central Europe and the Ardennes. He was awarded the American Defense Service Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged from the service on June 16, 1944, at the rank of corporal. After his World War II service, he joined Battery C, 127th Field Artillery Battalion of the Kansas National Guard at Paola. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant on Jan. 18, 1949.

Mr. Francq worked at Panhandle Eastern Pipeline from 1945 to 1951. In 1951, he began working at Olathe Naval Air Station, where he remained until the based closed in 1972. He was then self-employed. He worked at Kansas University from 1977 until retiring in 1979.

He was a member of American Legion, Lloyd Beaton Post No. 228, Baldwin. He also was a current member of the 40 & 8 club, and a past member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, both in Lawrence.

He married Madelin Dixon Surrell on Jan. 21, 1944, in Salina. She died Dec. 26, 1990.

Survivors include two sons, Larry, Baldwin, and David, Gardner; two daughters, Shirley Trybom, Lawrence, and Dixie Lee; two sisters, Vera Weaver and Helen Koch; a brother, Buddy Fouts; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A son, Earle, died earlier.

Friends may call after noon today at Lamb-Roberts-Heise Funeral Home, Baldwin, where the family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.

The family suggests memorials to the 40 & 8 Nurses Training, sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 64, Baldwin 66006.