Francis C. Baldus (1915-2007)

BALDUS, GARLAND, OLSON, KILCULLEN, BLAKE, HADAWAY, STARSHAK

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 2/2/2008 at 19:35:07

THE STORY CITY HERALD, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, January 2, 2008.

Francis C. Baldus, 92, died Dec. 24, 2007 at the Roxanne House in Fairmont, Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Dec. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

Visitation was held Thursday, Dec. 27 at 2:30 p.m. at Ohdc Twit Funeral Home in Carroll, Iowa. A rosary was held at 3 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m. Tshurday, Dec. 27. Visitation resumed at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28 at Holy Spirit Church prior to funeral services. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.

Francis C. Baldus, son of Carl Louis and Mary Alice (Garland) Baldus was born Oct. 28, 1915 in Story City. He graduated from high school in Story City and received his Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in Vocational Agriculture from Iowa State University.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a lieutenant from 1942 to 1946 on the USS Windsor which was involved in the initial invasion of the islands in the South Pacific.

Francis married Mary Ruth Olson on June 22, 1948 in Story City. He was a vocational agriculture teacher and taught in Riceville for two and a half years, Sibley for 17 years and Kuemper Catholic High School for 16 years from which he retired in 1981. He was commissioned an Eucharistic Minister by Bishop Frank. H. Greteman in 1970. He served frequently at daily mass until his health failed. He was a past president of the Iowa State Vocational Agriculture Teacher's Association and led a very active Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, winning many first place awards. He also received awards at Waterloo Dairy Cattle Congress and Iowa State Fair for cattle judging. Francis was very involved with soil conservation and coached in the Carroll Little League for many years. He was a member of Holy Spirit Parish and Men's Club, the Iowa State Alumni Association, the V.F.W., and the Maurice Dunn Post #6 of the Carroll American Legion. His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with family and friends. Francis also was interested in football and basketball at Kuemper Catholic High School, Iowa State, and Notre Dame. He also spent time gardening with flowers and vegetables, golf and fishing.

He is preceded in death by his parent; eight brothers and two sisters; and daughter-in-law Carol Kilcullen.

Francis is survived by his wife Mary Ruth Baldus of Fairmont, Minnesota; daughter Mary Blake and husband Henry of Minnetonka, Minnesota; sons Don Baldus of Rochester, Minnesota, Jim Baldus and wife Amy Dougherty of Mound, Minnesota, David Baldus and wife Remedios of Ames, Phil Baldus and wife Lynn of St. Ansgar, Iowa, Jeff Baldus of Sioux City, Paul Baldus and wife Debra of Fairmont, Minnesota; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; brother Joseph Baldus and wife Joanne of Story City; sister Mary Baldus Hadaway of Morris, Illinois; brother-in-law John Olson of Littleton, Colorado; sisters-in-law Marie Baldus of Ames, Sue Starshak and husband Mary of Chicago, Illinois, Elaine Olson of Provo, Oklahoma and Norma Olson of DeSoto, Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for Kuemper Catholic Schools and is available at the funeral home or the church.