WYNOT — Francis Hugo Uhing, Wynot, 86, died May 14, 2025, at Sister James Care Center, Yankton, S.D.

Mass of Christian Burial was May 20 at Holy Family (Sacred Heart) Catholic Church, Wynot, with the Rev. Owen Korte officiating.

Burial was at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wynot, with Military rites by the Wynot American Legion, the American Legion Riders and the Patriot Guard.

Visitation and a vigil service were Monday, at church. Visitation continued Tuesday, one hour prior to services. Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Pallbearers were his grandchildren, Nichelle Steffen, Joanna (AJ) Katerinos, Alexandra Steffen, Noah Uhing, Brileigh Uhing, Katherine (Thomas) Lewis, Brittany (Jairod Hill) Galvez-Hill, Joshua Galvez, Ashley Richardson and Guinevere Richardson.

Honorary pallbearers were all Uhing family military veterans who were invited to attend in uniform, if they chose to.

Francis Hugo was born in Bow Valley Nov. 1, 1938, to Joseph and Ida Uhing. He left Bow Valley at the age of 14 to study in the seminary in Illinois, then worked as a dairy farm hand in Wisconsin. At age 18, he joined the Army and spent time at Fort Riley, Kan., Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Fort Sill, Okla. Although he never served overseas, his unit was under orders to leave immediately for Germany during the Berlin Crisis in 1961, until orders were called off. His life was spent in service to others: as a bus driver for 20 years for Cedar Catholic and Wynot schools, and 20 years as an LPN at the Human Service Center, Yankton. He worked as Eucharistic minister and lector at Holy Family Church in Wynot, served as hospice volunteer for veterans, delivered Meals on Wheels, worked as volunteer fire fighter in Wynot, was an active member and sponsor of Alcoholics Anonymous, and spent five decades serving in the American Legion Post 31 in Wynot. He enjoyed his role as chaplain the most, because he was a man of deep faith. He proudly wore his Veterans cap and was delighted to start conversations about his Army career when people commented on his hat.

He enjoyed gardening, stained-glass work and woodworking and frequently shared his knowledge, his creations and the bounty of garden produce with others. Family and friends were always welcomed with open arms and the coffee pot was always on.

Francis is survived by his children, Lori (Joseph) Steffen, Rosemount Minn.; Gerry (Shelly) Uhing, South Sioux City; Debora Galvez, St. Cloud, Minn.; and Lynette (Ronald) Richardson, Anoka, Minn.; 10 grandchildren (serving as pallbearers) and two great-grandchildren, Eliana and Theodore Katerinos; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors. He is also survived by sisters, Rita Varilek, Tabor, S.D.; Margaret Bares, Tyndall, S.D.; Irene Kocmick, Tyndall, S.D.; and Rosemary (David) Folkers, Bow Valley; and sisters-in-law, Alice Uhing, Bow Valley, and Sandra Uhing, Fordyce.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Ida Uhing; brothers, Jerome, Leonard and Andrew Uhing; sister, Maryann Uhing; brothers-in-law, Stanley Varilek, Charles Bares and Leo Kocmick; wife, Gail Uhing; son, John Uhing; son-in-law, Tito Galvez; infant children, Jeanne and Joseph; infant granddaughters, Kirsten and Candace; and unnamed infant children.