Francis (Tom) Giefer

Francis John Giefer was born on November 12, 1924, in Elkton, SD, to Clement and Ida (Hess) Giefer. When he was a young child, he moved with his family to a farm near Marshall. Francis attended country school and Marshall High School. After his schooling, Francis took over his family farm operation. On September 17, 1946, he was united in marriage to Kathleen Nelson at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. In 1959, the family moved to a farm near Balaton. The couple retired in 1997 and moved to Marshall. Francis enjoyed gardening, hunting and playing rolle bolle. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a faithful school crossing guard. Francis died on Friday, July 29, 2011, at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, of Marshall, children Dianne (and Fred) Clark of Hampton, MN, Betty (and Tom) Arndt of Verndale, MN, Les Giefer of Garvin, Alice (and Albert) Leasure of Springfield, MA, Bernard (and Kathy) Giefer of Cannon Falls, MN, Collette (and Mark) Carstensen of Deer River, MN, son-in-law Keith Swanson of Cross Lake, MN, 14 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, sisters Anita Van Overbeke and Clementine Van Den Broecke, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Nola Swanson, infant son Francis, brothers Roman and Maurice and sister Mary Raymer.