Francis Duffy

Francis Duffy, 91, of Humboldt passed away Friday, October 1, 2021, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Thursday, October 7, 2021 at St. Mary's Church in Humboldt with Rev. Dan Guenther officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery south of Humboldt. A visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday with a Vigil service beginning at 7:00 PM all at Laufersweiler Funeral Home in Fort Dodge. Francis John Duffy, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and godfather was born on December 28, 1929 to Frank and Helen (Hagge) Duffy in Tama, Iowa. He graduated from Tama High School, and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1948 to enter the Korean Conflict. Francis was a member of Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 23, a unit of the U.S. Naval Air force, Pacific Fleet, including a tour of duty in the Far East. He was discharged on August 2, 1952 and returned to his family and loved ones in Iowa. He married Georgia Ann Fetter of Chelsea, IA, on March 10, 1953, and they moved to Humboldt, IA in 1958. They both have been active members of the Humboldt community and St. Mary's Catholic Church ever since. Francis worked for Packaging Corporation of America, Inc. as a salesmen of corrugated board for 45 years until his retirement in 1985. He was named Salesman of the Year and met numerous sales goals during his time with PCA, including a trip with Georgia to the Bahamas. After retirement he was greenskeeper at the Humboldt Country Club, and later, he worked at the Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home in Humboldt. No matter what job he had or where he was, he never met a stranger, and loved engaging with people. Francis golfed and was a member of the Humboldt Country Club and taught his children to play, too. He enjoyed attending his children's school and athletic activities. He also loved to play cards at the VFW with his friends, and many family gatherings included cribbage and other card games for kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. He was proud to be a 4th Degree Knight of the St. Mary's Knights of Columbus Council 8592. A recent highlight was joining the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight and traveling with fellow veterans to tour monuments in the nation's capital. He was overwhelmed with the send-off in Fort Dodge and greetings from the public in Washington, D.C. Francis enjoyed many friendships in Humboldt. Francis was known for his easy wit, his true joy in being with people, and his love of his family and church. At St. Mary's, he served as President of the Men's Organization, a lector, usher, and served on numerous event committees. He was proud to say that all of his children attended St. Mary's Catholic School, "his six, his matched set." Francis was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 68 year, Georgia (Humboldt, IA); his six children Pamela Duffy (Mickey Carlson) of Des Moines, IA, Jeffrey Duffy (Mindy) of DeWitt, IA, Deborah Fees (Michael) of Fort Collins, CO, Carole Duffy of Coralville, IA, James Duffy (Tami Hanson) of Hudson, WI, and Michael Duffy (Joni) of Humboldt, IA; his sister Joyce (Bob) Musel of San Antonio, TX; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephew. Visitation Wed, Oct 6, 2021 at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Vigil Wed, Oct 6, 2021 at 7:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Funeral Mass Thu, Oct 7, 2021 at 11:00 am St. Mary's Catholic Church 311 4th Street Humboldt, IA 50548