Francis Uecker, 75, of rural Wagner, SD, died peacefully in his home on Thursday, July 11, 2013, the same home where Francis was born, his grandparents' homestead.

A prayer service will be held 7:00 pm Monday, July 15, 2013 at the Wagner United Methodist Church. His Memorial Service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, July 16th, 2013, also at the Wagner United Methodist Church.

Francis was born to Bryan and Marie Uecker on October 26, 1937. Francis was a lifelong farmer, it was his passion, second only to the great love and devotion he had for his family.  His Uncle Bob said he knew only two men who could just sit and watch their cows eat grass, Francis and his father, Bryan.

Francis married Sylva Jean Ishmael on June 28, 1954. They lived their married life on the farm.  They were blessed with four children, Candy, Randy, Jeff, and Renee. Francis enjoyed his farm, his cattle, his dogs, his horses, his hunting, but mostly his children, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren. Francis was the best "buddy" in so many ways. Francis was a man who never met a stranger. Francis was famous for his great story telling. He had the best stories and never tired of telling them. Francis was full of laughter and brought tremendous love, joy, and fun to his family and friends.

Francis died peacefully in his home, on the farm north of Wagner, SD, with family at bedside.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Sylva Jean of Wagner; children: Candy Uecker of Pueblo West, CO; Randy (Sandy) Uecker of Huron, SD; Jeff (Patty) Uecker of Glade Spring, VA; Renee Uecker of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren: Chris (Heidi) Howard of Woodland Park, CO; Lee (Mark) Leuthold of Larchwood, IA; Riley & Reese Uecker of Huron, SD; Kasey Uecker of Glade Spring, VA; Jenny (Eric) Broughton, Naperville, IL.; 10 great grandchildren; brothers: John (Erdene) Uecker of Wagner, SD; Dennis (Fern) Uecker of Rapid City, SD; sisters: Margaret Gilreath of Wheat Ridge, CO; Carol Blaha of Lake Andes, SD; Sandra (Charles) Eitemiller of Armour, SD; Elaine (Alvin) Albert of Newcastle, WY; brothers and sisters-in-law Wayne (Judy) Dougherty of Renner; Jan (Warren) Fisk of Rapid City and Beryle Uecker of Wagner; and many nieces and nephews.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Kenneth and Richard; mother-in-law, Ida Kluth; brothers-in-law, Tom Blaha, Don Gilreath; and sister-in-law, Shizuko Uecker.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be donated to The Landscape Fund at Wagner United Methodist Church.