ST. PAUL — Francis J. “Frank” Giefer, 90, a lifelong farmer and stockman of St. Paul, died at 11:07 p.m. Sunday, June 12, 2011, at Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul surrounded by his wife and all of his children.

He was born Jan. 11, 1921, in South Mound to Francis Jacob and Anna Marie (Holtkamp) Giefer. He lived his entire life in the St. Paul and South Mound areas. 

At the age of 16 when his father had a stroke, Frank assumed responsibility for running the family farm to support his family.

He married Lois Marie Steinbacher on Sept. 12, 1944, in South Mound. Together they built their own farm and raised a family of nine children. Frank was kind, gentle, supportive and strong and had a heightened sense of fairness. In all relationships with family, friends and neighbors, he was well-liked and respected and was strongly committed to the community and church. He loved children and they were naturally attracted to him. He lived life to its fullest with family always in first place and with his children drawing strength from his example. He will be remembered and cherished for the kind, strong and loving man that he was.

He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul and a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He loved his family and his lifelong profession of farming. He also enjoyed music, dancing and nature.

Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Lois Giefer of the home; a son, Patrick Giefer of Denver; seven daughters, Carolyn Ford of Sausalito, Calif., Linda West, Becky Beachner, both of Parsons, Jane Massey of Plano, Texas, Kate Firestone of Sausalito, Calif., Debra Steiro of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Mary Beth Giefer of Fairfax, Calif.; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Joe Giefer of Parsons, Bob Giefer of Springfield, Mo., and Jim Giefer of St. Joseph, Mo.; and two sisters, Anna Chambers of Del City, Okla., and Helen O'Pat of Nicoma Park, Okla.

He was preceded in death by a son, Paul F. Giefer; a brother; and five sisters.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery.  The rosary will be at 7 p.m. today at the church, where the family will receive friends immediately following the rosary.

Memorials are suggested to the Paul Giefer Scholarship Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, 405 Main, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357, or the Exchange State Bank, 408 N. Fifth, St. Paul, 66771.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.