Francis William Kalis, 78, of Albert Lea, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells. The Rev. Eugene Stenzel will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery in Wells. Military honors will be provided by the Wells Color Guard.
Francis Kalis was born June 21, 1930, in Foster Township, the son of Joseph and Loretta (Horn) Kalis. He graduated from Kiester High School and entered the Army, serving in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1955. On July 23, 1966, he married Betty Peterson at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells. He worked at ABS, was a butcher, and for most of his career did carpentry.
Francis loved to woodwork. He made toys for his grandchildren and built stages for Albert Lea Community Theatre, among other projects. He was a 30-year member of AA.
Francis is survived by his wife, Betty of Albert Lea; his children: Sheryl (Dan) Buchholz of Brooklyn Park, Delrene (Alan) Kayser of New Brighton, Debra (Ken) Limmer of Cloquet, Brad (Jan) Peterson of Roseville, and Dori (Dennis) Klocek of Albert Lea; nine grandchildren; 13 great- grandchildren; sister, Elaine Wanzek; brother, Henry (Violet) Kalis; brothers-in-law: Ralph Sauer (special friend Carol) and Clair (Lois) Sauer; and sisters-in-law: Barbara (Wayne) Enderson and Leona Sauer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, George; granddaughter, Cristina; parents-in-law: Vern and Clara Sauer; brothers-in-law: Norbert Wanzek and Orville Sauer; and sister-in-law, Vernita Reindal.