Francis “Fran” Honrath, age 60 of Larchwood, IA died unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 2nd at St. Mary Catholic Church of Larchwood, IA, with Father Bruce Lawler as Celebrant. Public viewing will conclude at 10:00 AM Saturday morning at the church. Burial will follow at Larchwood Cemetery in Larchwood, IA.
Visitation will be Friday, November 1st from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Larchwood. Also there will be a 7:00 p.m. Vigil service at the church Friday evening.
Jurrens Funeral Home of Larchwood is in charge of services.
Francis Allen Honrath was born July 4, 1953 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the son of Leo B. and Rose J. (Kerkvliet) Honrath. He was raised on a farm east of Larchwood, IA and attended St. Mary’s School through the 9th grade and graduated from West Lyon High School in 1971. He furthered his education at Worthington Community College and then Moorhead State College, where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree and was also active in theater. He then continued at Creighton Law School and received his Juris Doctorate in 1981. He opened his law practice in Inwood, IA shortly thereafter.
On June 28, 1986 Fran was united in marriage to Linda Ann (Grave) Popkes at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Larchwood. They settled on the family acreage east of Larchwood.
Fran was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Larchwood, where he sang in choir, taught CCD, and was a lector. He was a member of the Lyon County Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, and Larchwood Library Board. Fran served as the Lyon County Magistrate from 1987-1989 and as Lyon County Attorney from 1989-1994. From 1997 to the present, he served as Lyon County Magistrate. Throughout this time, he maintained his private practice. He enjoyed traveling, sightseeing, and visiting his children, grandchildren, and family. He enjoyed raising livestock, gardening, reading, hiking, skiing, pinochle, canoeing, and spending time on the acreage with his family.
Fran is survived by his wife of 27 years, Linda Honrath of Larchwood, IA; eight children, Laura (Paul) Winckler of Rapid City, SD, Eric (Kate) Popkes of Emmet, NE, Kristen (Marc) Mollet of McCook, SD, John Honrath of O’Neill, NE, Sarah Honrath and Rachel Honrath, both of Lander, WY, James Honrath and Ann Honrath, both of Larchwood, IA; ten grandchildren, Ben, Emily and Caleb Winckler, Luke, Claire, Jake, Seth, and Jack Popkes, and Johannah and Mia Mollet; eight siblings, John Honrath of Woodstock, GA, Mary Lou Kappenman of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Moreah Vestan of Seattle, WA, Don (Ann) Honrath of Keller, TX, Steve (Meg) Honrath of Centerville, GA, Dan (Chris) Honrath of Apache Junction, AZ, Allan Honrath of Minneapolis, MN and Julie (Reid) Halstenrud of East Wenatchee, WA; mother-in-law, Ramona Grave of Rock Rapids, IA; brother-in-law Lance (Linda) Grave, Spencer, IA, sisters-in-law Renae (Mark) McCarty, Rock Rapids, IA, and Lisa (Mark) Pollan, Elkhorn, NE, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Rose Honrath; infant sister, Karen Honrath; stepmother Mary Kramer; brother-in-law, Gene Kappenman; sister-in-law, Carole Honrath; and great-nephew, Aaron Ramos.
