Francis (Fran/Verg) John Vergauwen, passed away on January 24, 2018 ending his battle with cancer.
He was born on March 20, 1937 in Superior, WI, son of the late Gaston and Elsie (Notenberg) Vergauwen. On July 9, 1960, Fran married his sweetheart, Carole Day. They celebrated 57 years of marriage last July. Fran’s character was known by his generosity evident from a very young age. He shared his time, talents and resources; more often anonymously. The lives that he touched are countless and extended beyond Waupaca, especially to the Franciscan Sisters in Connecticut. He was a family man and a small town family banker. He always made family first followed by service to the community and encouraged that philosophy in others. He served in the Navy for four years as an electrician mate. He was raised in Superior and moved his family to Siren to start his banking career. In 1967 he moved his family to Waupaca to become an installment loan officer at the Farmers State Bank. He was promoted to vice president in 1969. He held the position of president from 1987 to 2011 and retired at the age of 73. In 2017 the Farmers State Bank honored his over 50 years of banking. His years in Waupaca helped to shape it into what it has become today.
He is survived by his wife, Carole (Day) Vergauwen; his children: Shaun (Dave) Thoe with children Danielle and Travis, Waupaca; Ken (Jill Rolfs) Vergauwen with children JT, Eric, and Tony, Waupaca; Jim (Renee Culton) Vergauwen with children Carlene, Stephanie, Elliot, McKenzie and Colton, Glen Burnie, MD; Kelly (Ben) Baumgart with children Issac, Sam, Simon, and Hannah, Waupaca; Paula Vergauwen with son Dallas, Waupaca, French family connection Nathalie (Francis) Broc with children Luca and Nina and all the grandchildren’s spouses and eight great-grandchildren; siblings: Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Rich (Barb) Vergauwen, Ken (Alice) Vergauwen, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Gary Vergauwen, and stepfather, Orville Haszel.
The Memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Waupaca at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2018. Memorial Visitation will be held on Tuesday, from 4 until 8 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, and on Wednesday, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in the name of Francis Vergauwen. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.