Francis Schwingler, 81, Eureka, died Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 2:30 p.m., Monday, December 28, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Eureka, with Father Thomas Clement, Celebrant. Interment followed at the Eureka Cemetery.

Francis Lewis Schwingler, son of Agnes (Schumacher) and Leo Schwingler, was born March 23, 1939 seven miles west of Hosmer. When Francis was one, the family moved to a farm four miles west of where he was born. He received his formal education at Modina Township Rural School. Francis served his country in the United States Army, being inducted November 1957. Following his discharge in April 1958, he returned home to the farm. Francis married Agnes Meier on January 2, 1961. They purchased a farm four miles west and two miles north of Roscoe. In 1977, Francis and Agnes relocated to the Schwingler farm. They remained there until 2003 when they retired from farming and moved into Eureka. Francis was employed part-time at the business he helped start, Dakota Woodworking in Eureka.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Eureka and was formerly a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hosmer. His hobbies included golfing and shooting pool.

Francis is survived by Agnes, his wife of 59 years; four sons, Dennis (Joyce) Schwingler and John (Renee) Schwingler of Eureka, Richard (Claudia) Schwingler of Bismarck, N.D., and Kerry Schwingler of Grand Forks, N.D .; two daughters, Vivian (Ron) Mosbrucker of Bismarck and Kim (Keith) Daggett of Andover, Minn .; one brother, Joe (Judy) Schwingler of Bismarck; four sisters, Theresa (LeRoy) Heilman, Kathleen Craig, and Marie (Leonard) Lipp of Aberdeen, and Angie (Ray) Fuhrmann of Rio Grande, Calif .; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother (Micheal) and one sister (Monica Weber).

Organist was Paul Kolar, Mass server was Mikaela Malsom, and lector was Carmen Weber.

Honorary bearers were Francis's co-workers at Dakota Woodworking and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Casketbearers were Chad Schwingler of Bismarck, Randy Schwingler and Karli Adam of Grand Forks, Josh Schwingler of Mitchell, Tyler Schwingler of Watertown, and Carissa Schwingler of Eureka.

Services are in care of Lien-Straub Funeral Chapel, Eureka. The funeral will be livestreamed on the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page and be available Wednesday night at http://www.MillerLienFH.com.