Franc D. Beach

Franc D. Beach, 76, of Clear Lake, died Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa.

A celebration of Franc’s life will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, Iowa.  Family will greet friends from 2-4 p.m.  

Francis Davis Beach was born May 5, 1938, in St. Peter, Minn., the son of Jay and Hazel (Davis) Beach.  He graduated from St. Peter High School, St. Peter, in 1956.

In 1964 he married Barbara Jean Awe.  To this union they had five children.  They lived throughout the United States as he worked construction with the Boilermaker’s. 

In 1974 they moved to Clear Lake where he started working for Hanson’s Marine, where he established an extremely loyal customer base and formed friendships with people across the United States.  He then worked for Clear Lake Boats until he retired in 2012. Franc always had a friendly greeting for all.  

He married Mary Wilwert on June 28, 1994.  They spent 20 years together living in Clear Lake.

One of his greatest joys was spending time on the lake.  He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Minnesota Vikings and Twins.  

Franc is survived by his wife, Mary Beach, Clear Lake; his children, Rockford Beach, Des Moines, Iowa, Tina Awe, Clear Lake, Brian (Jacque) Beach, Minneapolis, Minn., Sean (Sue) Beach, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Gary Beach, Mason City, Iowa, Jayn (Blair) Bridges, Clear Lake, and Dominick Beach, Mason City; stepchildren, Lori (Russell) Williams, Houston, Minn.; Pamela (Scott) Pingel, Clear Lake, and Nicholas Wilwert, Albert Lea, Minn.;  22 grandchildren;  seven great-grandchildren;  sister, Jayn (Ellsworth) Fretham, Excelsior, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; two half-brothers, George Pettis and Earl Pettis; nephew, Rick Fretham; and his former wife, Barbara Beach.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.