Francis Anton Meister, age 94, of Wall Lake, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 11th, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake with Father John McGuirk officiating. Burial will be at the Wall Lake Cemetery with Military Gravesdie Rites by the American Legion Chalon Post No. 262 of Wall Lake. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is from 3:00-8:00 p.m., Sunday, June 10th, with a vigil service beginning at 7:30 at the funeral home in Wall Lake.

Francis was born on June 26, 1912, near Wall Lake the son of William and Helena K. (Fix) Meister. He attended country school south of Wall Lake and Wall Lake High School through tenth grade. He was baptized, confirmed, and lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake where he served as Lay Minister. He helped his parents on the farm after high school and delivered the Des Moines Register to various towns. On February 26, 1942, Francis was inducted into the U. S. Navy, proudly serving his country during WWII aboard the USS Pleiades, earning the rank of Electrician’s Mate, Third Class. Upon his honorable discharge on November 29, 1945, he began farming with his parents and brother. Francis was married on February 1, 1949, to Irene M. Ramold in Nebraska City, Nebraska. He started farming on his own in 1951 east of Wall Lake where they raised their two sons, Mike and Thomas. In 1986 they moved into Wall Lake and in 1999, Francis moved to Twilight Acres Nursing Home due to his failing health.

Francis loved the farm life, taking care of the livestock, harvesting the crops, and his Minneapolis Moline Tractors. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, who cherished spending time with his family and loved to play cards.

Survivors include his wife Irene of Wall Lake; his sons, Mike Meister and his wife Marla and Thomas Meister all of Wall Lake; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and extended family members.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Paul, Bernard, and William, Jr.; and a sister Rose Hatting.