Francis C. Wallerich

 Francis C. Wallerich, age 83, of Wabasha, a retired area farmer, died Monday, October 9, 2017 at St. Elizabeth’s Health Care Center in Wabasha. He was born September 21, 1934 in Wabasha, the son of Frank and Mary (Clemens) Wallerich of Reads Landing. He grew up on the family farm, attended Reads Landing School and graduated from St. Felix High School in Wabasha in 1952. With the death of his father in 1953 he farmed with his mother until the fall of 1960. He married Mary Pat Tentis September 12, 1959 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Kellogg. Francis worked at American Motors in Kenosha, WI for four years, where they made friends that they continue to keep in touch with. In 1964 he purchased and worked the Hugh and Helen Welp farm on Pepin Hill, rural Wabasha. In addition to farming over the years, he worked at Gould Manufacturing in Lake City.
 Francis loved the farm life and was proud of his red Angus herd who he considered his babies. The couple moved to Wabasha in 2001. They were able to travel then and they loved going to Branson, MO in the winter. Retirement also allowed time for them to spend with their grandchildren, which he loved. Due to declining health he entered St. Elizabeth’s Health Care Center in 2012. When his youngest granddaughters, Tori and Lucy, visited him his eyes would light up and they would make his day special.
 He was a faithful member of St. Felix Catholic Church and the St. Joseph’s Society of Catholic United Financial. He was also a member of the Pepin Hill Farmers Club and enjoyed playing cards. He and Mary Pat were foster parents for several children for 13 years.
 Francis is survived by his wife, Mary Pat Wallerich, Wabasha, MN; daughters and sons-in-law, Mary O’Brien and Ralph Pruter, Lake City, MN, Linda and Robert Harkins, Lake City, MN, Lori and Matthew Graham, Rochester, MN; sons and daughters-in-law, Alan and Kelly Wallerich, Wabasha, MN, Patrick Wallerich and former spouse, Holly Wallerich, Alexandria, MN, Lee and Kathi Wallerich, Wabasha, MN; 15 grandchildren, Sean, Kristine and Steven O’Brien, Andrew and Benjamin Harkins, Alex and Rebecca Graham, Justin, Blaine, Tyler Wallerich, Brittany, Emily and Rachel Wallerich and Victoria and Lucy Wallerich; four great-granddaughters, Savannah O’Brien and Madelyn, Paige and Lilyahna Wallerich; brothers, Joe (Mary) Wallerich, Wabasha, MN, Bob Wallerich, Plainview, MN, Norbert (Colleen) Wallerich, Rochester, MN; sister, Mary Lou Rutz, Lake City, MN; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary Wallerich, son-in-law, Ed O’Brien, brother-in-law, Leon Rutz and sister-in-law, Orlene Wallerich.
 A funeral Mass was on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 11:00am at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha with the Reverend Monsignor Robert Meyer and Deacon John Hust officiating. Interment was at St. Felix Cemetery. Casket and honorary bearers were his grandchildren. Family and friends called at the Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha on Friday from 4-8pm with a prayer service at 8pm and they called at the church on Saturday one hour before the Mass. The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha was in charge of arrangements. www.abbottfh.com