Francis Fleecs

F rancis F leecs, formerly of Sutherland and North Platte, peacefully passed away under hospice care on January 31, 2025, while spending his final years in Florida with his family.  He was 91 years old.

Francis was the second of George and Alfreda "Freda" Fleecs' five children.  He was born October 25, 1933, at Sutherland and grew up on the Fleecs family farm southeast of town and worked alongside his dad and brothers.  He attended East Fairview School then graduated from Sutherland High School.

Francis enlisted into the U.S. Army in 1953 and served until his honorable discharge in 1955.  Francis then returned home to continue farming and got married.

On August 29, 1959, Francis married Joan Schuett and they made their life together on a farm southwest of Sutherland.  They raised five children and were together for 61 years when Joan passed away in 2020.

After retiring he and Joan moved to North Platte.  They were members of Sacred Heart in Sutherland and St. Patrick's Catholic Church in North Platte.  Francis was a man of faith and a loving husband, father and grandfather.  He was the best dad and leaves us with lots of great memories.

Along with his wife, Francis was preceded in death by his parents, George and Freda, and stepfather, Charley Teply; his sister, Dorothy Wills; brother, Bob; and sister-in-laws, Lila and Maria Fleecs.

He is survived by his sons, Mark (Bridget) Fleecs, of Eagle, CO, Michael Fleecs, of Babcock Ranch, FL, and Jon Fleecs of Omaha; daughters, Deb (Todd) Osborn, of Babcock Ranch, FL, and Laurie (Rich) Maciejewski, of Doniphan, NE; his sister, Shirley (Robert) Galyen; brother, Ron Fleecs; brother-in-law, Bob Wills; 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and other family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Friday, February 28, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland with Celebrant Father Sagar. Inurnment with military honors will be at 2 p.m. in Fort McPherson National Cemetery.  The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the North Platte Alzheimer's Support Group.