Francis J. Strasser

Francis J. Strasser, 83, of Parsons, died at 8:30p.m. on December 21, 2021 at Ascension Via Christi hospital in Pittsburg, with his daughter by his side.

Francis Joseph Strasser was born on May 20, 1938, to Eugene Francis Strasser and Elizabeth (Masser) Strasser in Girard, Kansas.  The first years of his life he spent in rural Walnut, later moving to St. Paul where he attended St. Paul schools. He graduated from St. Francis High School in St. Paul in 1958.

He honorably served in the United States Army Reserves from June 1956 to May 1967.

On January 18, 1969, Francis and Sharon Kay Bretches were united in marriage at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parsons. They later divorced.

Francis started his apprenticeship with Dale Alexander at Alexander Manufacturing in the Mid-1960's. This led into a lifelong career as a Machinist and Tool and Die Maker. March 18. 1971, he went to work for Ruskin Manufacturing where he was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Local #2. He retired from Ruskins in June 2003. From 1969 until his stroke in December 2008, he owned and operated his own part-time machine shop. He enjoyed a good challenging piece to repair, or remake if the case may be, and many area farmers helped to keep him challenged. No piece was too big or too small for his talents.

Francis was Proud and Dedicated Scouter to the youth of the Quivira Council-Osage Nation District. He started his career in September 1969 as a Weblos Assistant Leader. At the time, he had no idea just how far he would go with the Boy Scouts of America. During his 50 plus years, he founded School Night for Scouting in Parsons, Weblos Woods and Cub Olympics in Osage Nation. He reorganized and restarted Packs 2, 8, and 98, also helping to start Troop 8 for the Boy Scouts. He also held a number of positions in Scouting Leadership, including the highest position a Volunteer Scouter can serve, District Commissioner. He received many honors, those including the Distinguished Service Award, Scouters Key of Cubbing, College of Commissioner Science, Round Table Appreciation, Day Camp Appreciation, Train The Trainers, Commissioner of Basic Training, Arrowhead Honor, Commissioners Key, Commissioners Arrow, Scouters Training Award, Certificate of Appreciation in Scouting, Outstanding District Committee Member, Top Troop Committee Member, Outstanding Weblos Woods, Training Chairman Leadership Award, District Award of Merit, but the award he was most proud to hold was the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award a Scouter can receive.

He donated blood to the American Red Cross on a regular basis. He was a member of the Elks Lodge #527 in Parsons. Was a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Paul Council #760 before transferring to the Parsons Council #643. April 18, 1971 he became a member of the Commodore Barry Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus in Pittsburg.

He had been a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul, then St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parsons until they closed, when he became of member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons.

His greatest enjoyment and pride were his two grandchildren. He would tell everyone he met that if he had a dozen, he wouldn't want them any different.

Survivors include:

One son - Loren J. Strasser of the home

One daughter - Lucinda J. Bonine (Travis) of Frontenac, Kansas

Two grandchildren - Elana Bonine and Tallon Bonine of Frontenac, Kansas

Three sisters - Jeannie Sanchez (Rudy) of Greeley, Colorado

Delores (Dee) Baker (Jerry) of Topeka, Kansas

Virginia (Ginny) O'Connell (Jim) of Lawrence, Kansas

One brother - Fred Strasser (Pam) of Park City, Utah

Many cousins and numerous nieces and nephews

He is proceeded in death by his mother, Elizabeth, in March 1943; his father and step-mother, Eugene and Dorothy (Westhoff) Strasser; two brothers: James P. Strasser and Paul E. Strasser; and many aunts and uncles.

The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00a.m., Monday, January 3, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. Burial will immediately follow at St. Francis Cemetery in St. Paul. The Rosary will be prayed at 6:00p.m., Sunday, at St. Francis Catholic Church, St. Paul. The family will receive friends following the Rosary.

Memorials are suggested to the Quivira Council-Osage Nation District, Philmont Scout Ranch Scholarship Fund to help send Scouts to camp. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, Ks 67357.