Obituary: Francis Vander May

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Monday, November 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

Visitation

5-7 p.m. Sunday, November 29
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota
PRAYER SERVICES AT 7:00 P.M.

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In memory of

Francis Vander May

of Long Valley, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital at the age of 88

Francis Joseph Vander May was born July 22, 1927, at White River, SD, to Leonordus and Katherine (Crampton) Vander May. He attended grade school at Plainview, Wanblee, and Berry Schools in Washabaugh County. Two and 1/2 years of his high school were spent in Wanblee. He attended Wanblee High School until attending his last year and a half at Kadoka High School, graduating in 1944.

Francis worked on his father's farm northeast of Long Valley after graduation. In 1951, he joined the National Guard and was discharged in 1954.

On May 19, 1954, he married Norma Walkowiak at St. Michael's Church in Spalding, Nebraska. Eight children were born to this union: Debra, Mark, Chris, Nancy, Kevin, Pamela, Julie, and Matt. They resided on the same place he grew up on northeast of Long Valley all their married life.

Francis was a member of Sacred Heart Parish of Norris, South Dakota, all his life until it closed in 2005. Then he became a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka. He served as trustee at Sacred Heart Church in Norris for many years and was a director in Bankwest for 17 years.

He and Norma enjoyed traveling. Some memorable trips were with Bishop Dimmerling to Italy where they had an audience with Pope John Paul II, many of the central European countries, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and Poland. Francis shared his quiet sense of humor, and told captivating stories that would entertain and delight, even after hearing them more than once. Whenever something was broken, Norma never had to worry because she knew France would fix it somehow.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Norma of Long Valley; eight children Debra Kussman and her husband Rick of Scottsdale, Arizona, Mark Vander May and his wife Cindy of Long Valley, Chris Grable and her husband Rich of Rapid City, Nancy Donnelly and her husband Scott of Rapid City, Kevin Vander May and his wife Diane of Norris, Pamela Dixon and her husband Will of Rapid City, Julie Carlbom and her husband Dan of Spearfish, and Matt Vander May and his wife Melissa of Long Valley; 25 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother Leo "Harry" Vander May and his wife, Bertie of Long Valley; and a sister-in-law Betty Vander May of Kadoka.

He is preceded in death by sister Irene Zickrick and her husband Kenneth Zickrick, Sr., and one brother Loyd Vander May.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, November 29, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 30, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka, with Father Tyler Dennis as celebrant.

Interment will be at the Kadoka Cemetery.
A memorial has been established to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and the Kadoka Care Center.

Open the Memorial Folder

VISITATION
5-7 p.m. Sunday, November 29, 2015
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

PRAYER SERVICE
7:00 P.M. Sunday, November 29, 2015
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
10:00 a.m. Monday, November 30, 2015
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Tyler Dennis

ALTAR SERVERS
Jarrett Vander May - Isaiah Hogen - Elijah Hogen

LECTORS
Cindy Vander May - Diane Hogen - Janet Vander May

MUSIC
Jo Anne Stilwell - Pianist
Our Lady of Victory Choir
“Ave Maria”
“I am the Bread of Life”
“Be Not Afraid”

USHERS
Kenar Vander May - Tere Vander May - Ryan Dixon

PALL PLACEMENT & GIFT BEARERS
Heidi Jordan - Bethany Zipprich - Amy Juso
Ashley Grable - Rebecca Vander May - Morgan Dixon
Mackenzie Carlbom - Sydney Carlbom - Lindsey Vander May

PALLBEARERS
Chris Kendrick - Kanan Vander May - Brian Grable
Eric Vander May - Derek Vander May - Taylor Dixon
Connor Carlbom - Dylan Vander May
Dallas Kendrick - Gabe Kussman

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Bud Olney - Bob Holcomb - Frankie Bauman
Harry Merchen, Jr. - Claude Allen Berry - Stephen Little Thunder

INTERMENT
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

Francis was a man that lived a life of dignity, hard work, honor, grace, humbleness, calmness, compassionate, loving, committed, loyal, friendly. Even in his darkest days he still had that compassionate smile and friendly personality. As he has journeyed on to his heavenly home, we here grieve in his loss. If we all could live a bit more like Francis's example, what a better world this would be. Peace and love to all of his family. ~ Chuck & Janet VanderMay Kadoka, SD (12/3/2015)
were so sorry for your family loss norma we wish we could of stayed for the services. You will be in our prayers. ~ TerMeer family ALEXANDRIA< SD (12/1/2015)
So sorry to hear about Francis' passing. You're all in our thoughts and prayers. ~ The Allen Good Family Long Valley, SD (11/30/2015)
I remember your dad from our many fists to the farm and to Cousin Irene''s house. My dad was very find of his cousins and we always stopped on our trips between Mitchell and Denver. My sympathy to all of your family. ~ Judy Termeer Idaho (11/29/2015)
I knew Francis for many years. He was a fine man, and I know that he will be greatly missed ~ Larry Beckwith Rapid City, S.D. (11/28/2015)
Chris and family, I was sadden to hear the news of your Dad passing. Hold the sweet memories close and know that I will be praying for you over the next several days. God Loves Us - Becky ~ Becky Drury Rapid City (11/28/2015)
Were very sad io Read of Francis' death. I have known him and Norma my entire life and just a pure joy to visit with. Norma , our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. He was surely one of Gods Greatest Creations! ~ Ray & Karen Gibson Philip SD (11/27/2015)
We were saddened to hear of Uncle Francis' passing, and you have our sympathies. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Diane Walkowiak, Bill Wehrbein Lincoln NE (11/27/2015)
So sorry to hear about Uncle Francis. He was a gentle giant. He had a quiet dignity about him impressed me even as a child. Our sympathies to each of you. ~ Pat (Walkowiak) Hall Janesville, WI (11/26/2015)