In Memory Of
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Francis Bernard Schraad
Seneca, Kansas
12/29/1929 - 10/09/2022
Francis B. Schraad, 92, of Seneca, Kansas, passed away on Sunday morning, October 9, 2022, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital.
Francis was born December 29, 1929, to August and Anna Osterhaus Schraad. The family lived on a farm northeast of St. Benedict, Kansas. Francis grew up there, attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from St. Benedict High School in 1947. After he graduated, Francis went on to attend KC MO Jr. College & KUMKC and then graduated from Central Technical.
Francis was drafted in the U.S. Army on May 16, 1951, after basic training at Camp Chaffer Ash, he was sent to Japan for schooling and then to Korea. He served as a forward observer and worked in the Fire Detection Center. His Artillery unit had the largest self-propelled weapon in Korea at the time. Francis was assigned to the Hq & Hq Btry 937th Fa BN, and served 1 year 2 months and 12 days overseas. Francis earned the rank of SGT while in the Army and was discharged on February 16, 1953.
Francis worked for Danney Tree Co., after school and then for Honeywell. He retired from Honeywell after 28 years, then worked independently installing in the KC area. During his time spent in the KC area, he lived in Shawnee and Overland Park.
He married Gwen Stephenson October 1957 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee. They were later divorced. Gwen died on June 24, 2022.
He married Dorothy Bergman on April 16, 1994, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Dorothy died on January 19, 2017.
Francis also enjoyed many activities when he wasn’t working. He loved baseball, hunting, fishing, and camping. He was also a Scout leader for 20 years, a baseball coach for 8 years, and worked with Catholic Organization, R.E.A.C.H. for 8 years. Additionally, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the V.F.W. He relished being a grandfather and loved spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his children, Mark Schraad and his wife, Kristen; Carol Schraad-Dahn and her husband, David Dahn; Keith Schraad; Diane Schraad-Mason and her husband, Greg Mason; and Daryl Schraad; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Schraad and Betty Schraad of Seneca; a brother-in-law, Don Cook; 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents August and Anna; his first wife, Gwen and his second wife, Dorothy; and siblings, Elmer Schraad on June 29, 2002, Eugene Schraad on July 19, 2015, Rita Wempe on February 21, 2019, and Helen Cook on June 18, 2018.
Rosaries will be prayed at 2 and 7 PM Thursday, October 13, 2022, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Friday, October 14, 2022, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery, he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Dorothy.
Memorials may be given in Francis’s memory are to the V.F. W., sent in care of the family.
Rosaries will be prayed at 2 and 7 PM Thursday, October 13, 2022, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Friday, October 14, 2022, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca.
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Rest In Peace Francie. You were always a funny guy and had a loving personality.
Frank had a place in his kind and loyal heart for everyone. I will miss our conversations filled with laughter and memories. It is an honor to have known him as a father, grandfather, husband, and friend.
May his soul & all the souls of the faithfully departed Rest In Peace Amen
I’m saddened that Francie has passed. He was a one-of-a kind man with a witty sense of humor. He was a terrific grandfather figure to Ryan, Chae Chelby (Bergman) Kelsey, Abby (Warkentine), Cole & Mathew (Chase). For that he was loved dearly and will be missed by all of us. Not good-bye Francie…..but see ya later!
Francis was a classmate. Yes, he was a fun-loving guy, with a beautiful sense of humor. I won’t be able to attend his funeral since I will be at my sister-in-law’s funeral in Mayetta on Friday. Prayers for Francis and his family.
I’m saddened to hear of Francis’ passing. I so enjoyed talking to him when I’d visit Seneca and run into him. He was one of my mom’s favs! They loved laughing together! I’ll pray all the memories of his laughter brings his family joy and peace!
Very nice man.. I will miss him picking on me at McDonald’s and the applemarket.. I bet he’s eating now….
I did not Know Francis very well, I only really met him a few years ago when he won some “personal health care products” from a raffle I was overseeing for the SPPS Craft Fair. I hand delivered the items to his house, and he kind of chuckled about having won them, stating he would pass them on to one of his grandkids. Then he proceeded to invited me and my kids into his living room for a chat. He showed us all his pictures on the walls of his family and our conversation lasted much longer than I intended. I will never forget that first meeting! I left that day feeling like I had just left the house of an old friend. (0:
Running into Mr. Schraad, usually at some auction, was stepping into a stream of easy banter. Often involving coins. And always with the lift of laughter and the satisfaction of easy words spoken in the delight of being alive. Francis Schraad, you are a rare treasure in my mind. Go in peace.