Francis Henry 1927-2024
Francis John “Frenchy” Henry, 97, of Wetmore, died Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, at Credo Senior Living in Seneca.
He was born on April 26, 1927, in Seneca, to Joseph and Hedwig (Waller) Henry. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul Grade School. He graduated from the eighth grade at St. Bede’s, Kelly. He then went to work to help support his family. He attended a farming practice school in the early 1950s.
Frenchy was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1945 during World War II and served honorably until his discharge in 1946.
On May 10, 1949, he married Dorothy M. Boeckman at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly. They were blessed with 51 years of marriage. They lived south of Centralia and then northeast of Corning before settling on a farm south of Bancroft in 1955. They moved to Wetmore in 1989.
Frenchy, Dorothy and their children operated a Grade A dairy farm and row crop operation from 1957 to 1987. While Dorothy managed the dairy, Frenchy managed the farm. Along with his brothers, Joe and Don, they established Henry Brothers Farm and FFOG, Inc. (Goff spelled backwards).
On March 1, 1969, Frenchy and his brothers, Joe, Don and Jim opened Henry Brothers Implement Inc. in Seneca and Holton. Frenchy’s son, Gary, joined the business in 1972. His brother, Dennis, joined the business in 1974. They opened the Hiawatha store in 1986. They sold the business in 2008 after 39 years. Henry Brothers Implement Gas Station was established in 1980.
Frenchy was a born leader with the gift to evaluate what was needed in any given situation. He was a member of the St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore, Goff/Wetmore American Legion, NFO (National Farmers Organization) and the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Farm Service Agency Board, ASCS Committee, Goff Fire Board, Nemaha County Economic Development Board and was a Trustee of Wetmore Township.
Farming was not a job to Frenchy. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with his sons and extended family. The importance of maintaining the family farm was apparent in the decisions he made. Besides farming, Frenchy enjoyed playing cards, mushroom hunting, fishing, playing the guitar, dancing, hunting, going to the casino and telling stories. He told the best stories about his life experiences and growing up during the depression. He was a master at playing cards and initiated the Goff card group. With the support of his good friends, he was able to continue playing cards weekly, enjoying his last game just a few weeks before his passing.
Frenchy and Dorothy had a strong Catholic faith, which carried them through good and bad times. This faith was instilled in their children. Their devotion was apparent in their home and way of life. Through life’s adversities they turned to prayer and their trust in God was evident.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Hedwig Henry; wife, Dorothy; sons-in-law, Fred Showman and Gary Love; granddaughter, Jenae Claycamp; brothers, Joseph, Donald, Richard (Dick), Robert (Bob), Lawrence (Larry), Regis and Kenneth; and sister, Edith Rombeck.
Survivors are two sons, Gary (Susie) of Seneca and Randy (Nancy) of Goff; six daughters, Connie (Gary) Gold of Hugoton, Marilyn Showman of Sabetha, Sharon (Brad) Claycamp of Soldier, Lori (Dave) Stallbaumer of Holton, Caroline (Roger) Todd of Havensville and Eileen Love of Seneca; 19 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; brothers, James “Jim” (Jane) and Dennis (Joyce) of Seneca; sister, Mary Jo (Charles) Barrett of Charlotte, N.C.; and sisters-in-law, Kate Henry of Conception Junction, Mo., Cindy Henry of Centralia and Dorothy Henry of Topeka.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, Oct. 3 at St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore. Burial was held in Corning Cemetery with military honors following the funeral. A rosary was prayed Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials may be given for the PDSA (Platelet Disorder Support Association) for pediatric research for patients with the blood disorder ITP at the link below or by check to the memorial in honor of his great-granddaughter, Peyton VandeVelde of Topeka or Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School of Seneca.
https://pdsa.org/give-back/pump-it-up-for-platelets.html?view=article&id...
To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
