Francis J. DeLage
Age 82
Died on April 16, 2023, in Minneapolis
Francis was born May 10, 1940, on a farmstead in Gentilly. He met his future wife, Beverly Lunde of Gonvick, on the Iron Range, where both families had moved for work. He lived his final years near children and grandchildren in Farmington, Minnesota.
Francis served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1961. He and Beverly were married on May 13, 1961, at the rectory of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Crookston upon his return from Germany.
They started their life together in Minneapolis, where their son Robin was born. They moved to Bemidji in 1962, where their daughter Michelle was born. They returned to Crookston in 1964 and had two more children, a son Jaime and a daughter Janelle. The family attended St. Ann’s until its closure and then the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Francis was the longtime owner and operator of DeLage’s Phillips 66 and U-Haul at 304 N. Broadway and later at University Drive and Fisher Avenue, where he did a brisk business during the annual Red River Valley Winter Shows. Later in his career, he sold used cars while continuing to rent U-Hauls. In semi-retirement, he worked at NAPA Auto Parts – Crookston Welding. In Farmington, he served on his condominium board and was entrusted with the maintenance portfolio.
Francis died on April 16, 2023, at the University of Minnesota Medical Center after a recent diagnosis of leukemia.
He was preceded in death by his father, Louis; mother, Laura, (nee Page); and his brother Ronald (Pam).
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; children Robin (Kendra), Michelle (Patrick) Prosen, Jaime (Constance) and Janelle (Dana) Strumstad; brother, Darrell (Kathy); sister, Shereen (Mike) Lanctot; sister-in-law Pam (Ronald) DeLage; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Francis will be buried Tuesday, April 25, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery following a private family remembrance.
