Francis Broich
August 25, 1925 - November 29, 2011
Sleepy Eye, MN

Visitation: 4:00-8:00 p.m. December 01, 2011 at Sturm Funeral Home - Sleepy Eye
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. December 02, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church - Sleepy Eye
Interment: 12:00 Noon December 02, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery

Francis Paul Broich was born August 25, 1925, in Adrian, MN the son of John and Mary (Kaschmitter) Broich. He graduated from St. Mary's Catholic High School in 1943, then served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1946. Upon his Honorable Discharge, he returned to Sleepy Eye and was united in marriage to Lorraine Schneider on September 16, 1947, in Mankato. Francis and his brother Alfred worked with their father at the Handy Jack Spratt Market, then they owned Broich's Royal, Piggly Wiggly, and finally Broich's Market until 1985. He started working for Catholic Order of Foresters in 1983. Francis was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Catholic Order of Foresters and served as Chief Ranger and was state secretary/treasurer for 9 years, and was a 3rd Degree honorable member of the Knights of Columbus. He served as past president and past secretary/treasurer of the Sleepy Eye Retail Association, was an honorary lifetime member of the Sleepy Eye Fire Department, and was a member of the American Legion and the VFW, where he served as past commander. Francis enjoyed bowling, golfing, reading, and having coffee with his buddies at Schultz's Cafe. Francis will be forever remembered for his love of faith, family, friends and food.

Francis Broich died Tuesday, November 29, 2011, at the New Ulm Medical Center at the age of 86 years.

He is survived by children- Barb and husband Greg Hite of Glencoe, Chuck Broich of Gulfport, FL, and Mary and husband Matt Moldestad of Golden Valley; 9 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; brothers- Jim (Mary Ann) Broich of Sleepy Eye, and John Broich of Bristol, TN; sister Audrey Scholtz of Winnebago; and sisters-in-law- Ursula Broich and Margie Broich. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lorraine in 2006; son Dale in 2006; a daughter in infancy; and brothers- Chris, Walter, Joseph, Alfred, and Arthur Broich