Francis Krotzinger

Francis John Krotzinger, Jr., the son of Francis John, Sr. and Pauline (Butler) Krotz- inger, was born on Jan. 11, 1939 in Marys- ville, Kan. He died Jan. 28, 2022 at Brodstone Memorial Hospital, Superior, at the age of 83 years and 17 days.

Francis was baptized and confirmed at St Gregory's Catholic Church. He attended school in Marysville. At the age of 13, his dad tragically lost his life. Francis helped raise his 3-year-old brother, Paul. While in high school, he was active in sports. He graduated in 1957. On May 17, 1958, he married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Dee Grauer, at St. Gregory's Catholic Church in Marysville. To this union, two sons were born, Kyle and Kris.

Francis' first job was cleaning the Pool Hall, then working at Boogarts helping in the meat department. He was employed with Safeway in Marysville, before transferring to Superior in 1966. When the store closed, he continued his Safeway career in Hastings and helped out in Seattle and Denver.

He was an entrepreneur and started his own grocery business in Nelson known as the "Country Market." The store known to his grandchildren as "Pa's Store." He learned the smoking meat skill from his brother-in-law, Jeff. They later purchased the Portwood building next to the store and Dee began her gift shop business. He was active in the community and even had a role in the community theatre. Together with Kris, they started a carpentry business in Superior painting houses etc.

Later they purchased the J.C. Penney catalog store which they expanded with Dee's gift items and it soon became "Prairie Blessings." Their adventures included purchasing Superior Floral and adding a floral shop to their existing store.

Being idle was never Francis. He recently finished repainting their home and fence, which became a family project.

Francis enjoyed sporting events, which included coaching youth baseball and Kayla's softball team. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends. He knew no stranger and enjoyed visiting with anyone.

He was an active Jaycee member serving as state treasurer, and Ducks Unlimited member.

When his grandchildren came along, they became his world and their stories are endless. The great-grandchildren started their own stories. He will be greatly missed in so many ways.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Pauline; his brother, Paul; grandson, Heath; parents-in-law, Merle and Violet Grauer; sisters-in-law, Shirley Wilson and Sherry Munce; and brothers-in-law, Darel Whitebread and Jeff Grauer.

Survivors include his wife, Dee; sons, Kyle (Diane) of Superior; and Kris (Sheba) of Denver; five grandchildren: Kayla (Kyle) Grove of Omaha; Eric (Juliann) of Superior; Keshia (T.J.) Druba of Lincoln; Robbie of Denver and Morgan (Jamie) Soyk of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; seven great- grandchildren: Ella and Alex Grove, Blaise and Rhett Krotzinger; Trey and Kree Druba and Hutson Soyk and his sibling due in March; sisters-in-law Jan Parker of Frisco, Texas; Nancy Whitebread of Marysville and Connie Grauer of Brighton, Colo .; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

His funeral will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 4, from the Republic United Methodist Church in Republic, Kan., with Lance Rundus officiating.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today (Thursday) with family present from 6 to 8p.m. to greet friends.

Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at Superior.

Memorials in care of the family.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of http://www.price funeralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior is in charge of the arrangements.