Francis Connell

Francis Fritz Connell, age 89, of St. James died on Tuesday, April 06, 2010, at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in St. James. Francis Warren Connell, Fritz, was born February 23, 1921 in St. James, MN, the son of Ed and Clara (Moe) Connell. Fritz grew up on a farm near St. James where he attended rural school. He worked as a mechanic at Wiley Trucking in the Twin Cities and would return to St. James on the weekend to help on the farm. He was united in marriage to Shirley Griesbach on Nov. 11, 1945. The couple moved back to St. James in 1952 where Fritz worked as a farmhand for Theodore Olstead. Purchasing his own farm in 1973 which he worked until his retirement. Fritz married Betty Griesbach in 1973 following the death of Shirley in 1971. Fritz enjoyed wintering in Texas for several years. He also enjoyed fishing and pheasant hunting. He was a regular at the Band Box where he enjoyed shaking dice with friends. He was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in St. James. Fritz is preceded in death by both of his wives, Shirley and Betty, his parents, special friend Marie Isaacson and his half brother Jesse Stauffer. He is survived by his children, Garnet (Marvin) Karau of St. James, Edward (Linda) Connell of St. James, Virginia Turgeon of Belton, MO, Robert (Carol) Connell of Trail, MN, step-sons, William Gould of Butternut, WI, Michael (Nancy) Gould of Butternut, WI, 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and 4 step-great-grandchildren.