Nieman, Francis Dale "Fran" 1935-2023

NIEMAN, PAULSEN, KRUSE

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting (email)
Date: 10/5/2023 at 14:25:32

Mr. Francis Nieman, age 88, of Orange City, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at Crown Pointe Estates in Sioux Center.

A graveside service will be held at 9:15am, on Tuesday, October 3, at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. A visitation with the family present will be on Tuesday, from 10:00am to 11:00am, at the American Reformed Church in Orange City. There will be a memorial service at 11:00am, at the church, with the Rev. Dr. Verlyn Boone officiating. The Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City is in charge of arrangements.

Francis Dale was born on September 2, 1935, in Avoca, the son of Glen and Esther (Paulsen) Nieman. He graduated from the Avoca High School in 1954 and attended Iowa State University in Ames until enlisting in the United States Army in 1955. He served in the Army for 32 months, stationed in Germany. After being honorably discharged, he enrolled at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, majoring in physical education and playing on the school’s football team. It was during his time at Buena Vista he met Beverly Ann Kruse, his future wife.

On August 5, 1962, he and Bev were united in marriage. Following their graduations, they both accepted teaching positions at the Maurice-Orange City Schools. Bev taught second grade; and Fran taught physical education and coached football and track. He had a special place in his heart for his players and students.

In 1970, they moved their family to Clarinda, where they lived for three years, and Fran continued to teach physical education and coach football. While there, they met lifelong friends that they traveled to Branson, Missouri, with for many years. Fran even arranged the Wooden Shoe Open golf outing, which he never actually won.

In 1973, their family returned to Orange City and Fran began working at the Sioux County State Bank, which later became Iowa State Bank, in Orange City. He was grateful for having had the opportunity to become president of the bank and being of service to his many customers was important to him. He also enjoyed working for and with the special people there until his retirement in 2000.

Fran was a member of the American Reformed Church in Orange City, where he served as deacon and chairman of the Building Committee for the church’s building expansion. He was also a member of the Pressman-Kosters American Legion Post in Orange City for more than fifty years, and he served on the Orange City Hospital Board, and the Orange City Development Corporation Board. He and his family had many good times at their cottage on Silver Lake, hosting extended family and friends. He also looked forward to golf on Tuesdays, having lunch with his banker friends, and cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones and Green Bay Packers.

Survivors include his wife of more than 61 years, Bev, of Orange City; two sons, Matt Nieman, and his sons, Jacob and Joey; and Mark Nieman, and his wife, Vicki, and their two children, Jori and Spencer; a sister, Pat Swanson, of Atlantic; three brothers-in-law, Lou Jezewski, of Omaha, Nebraska; Gary Kruse, and his wife, Maureen, of Calumet; and Bill Kruse, and his wife, Joan, of Storm Lake; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and his wife’s parents, Ray and Mildred Kruse, he was preceded in death by a sister, Sandra Jezewski; two brothers-in-law, Robert Swanson and Randy Kruse; and a nephew, Mark Swanson.

Memorials will be given to the MOC-Floyd Valley Foundation.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.