Francis R. Wempe

Services for Francis R. Wempe, 82, Lawrence, will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

Mr. Wempe died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002, at Hickory Pointe Care and Rehabilitation Home, Oskaloosa. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

He was born Nov. 14, 1919, in Frankfort, the son of Frank B. and Ida J. (Lorson) Wempe. He graduated from Frankfort High School and Kansas State University College of Agriculture.

Mr. Wempe was a farmer and renowned Holstein dairy cattle breeder. He was an honorary lifetime member of Kansas Holstein Assn., and a life member of Holstein-Friesan Association of America and Dairy Shrine Club. He was a former member of the board of directors for FHA, Farmers Co-op and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He was also a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and a foster parent for many years.

He married Frances E. Vautravers on Feb. 15, 1944, in Frankfort. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Connie Kniffen, Tyndall, S.D.; a foster daughter, Shirley Bones, Baldwin; two sons, Donald L., Topeka, and Sam Smith, Lecompton; a brother, R. Milton, Mitchell, S.D., a sister, Ellen Glynn, Kansas City, Kans.; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from noon to 5 p.m. Friday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. The family will greet friends after a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

The family suggests memorials to Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Assn., sent in care of the mortuary.