Francis E. “Andy” Andrus

April 18, 1931 – July 20, 2022

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Francis E. “Andy” Andrus, of Wilber, was born April 18, 1931, in Sparta, Wisconsin, to Arthur and Anna Andrus.

Francis grew up on farms in the Sparta area. After graduating high school, he made a career in the U.S. Air Force. During this time, he was deployed to Vietnam and awarded the Purple Heart. Francis married Sally Harder on Nov. 5, 1957. Sally passed away Aug. 29, 1989, and was the mother of their four children. Francis moved his family to Wilber, and he worked and retired from Alpo in Crete. He held numerous part-time jobs. He was joined in marriage to Mildred Diggs on Dec. 12, 1989. Francis enjoyed coin and stamp collecting in his free time, as well as visiting with his wife, family, friends and strangers. Francis passed away July 20, 2022, at the Wilber Care Center, where he spent the last years of his life visiting with family, fellow residents and staff.

Francis is preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Anna Andrus; brother, Ronald, children, Sara Meyers, John Andrus and James Andrus; and grandson, Richard Barta.

Francis is survived by his wife, Mildred, brother, Burton Andrus (Rita); daughter, Julia Layton (Randy) of Missouri; step-children, David Shipped (Estelle) of Illinois, Mary Lou Sing (Lyle) of Illinois, Mike Diggs (Wendy) of Iowa and Donna Martin (Chris); grandchildren, Scott Meyers (April) of Lincoln, Andrew Meyers (Larissa) of Iowa, Micah Meyers (Stephane Ayers) of Papillion, Samantha Lockwood (Kirby Uphoff) of Illinois, Amanda Andrus (Junior) of Arkansas, Julia Andrus-Lewis (Mike Crisp) of Arizona; step-grandchildren, Bobby Shipper, Sondra Shipper, Tim Sing, Allen Sing, Olivia Diggs, Madison Diggs, Sydney Diggs-Lozier, Gabrielle Diggs, Griffin Diggs, Christopher Lofing and Kinze Lofing; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was July 29. Memorial contributions are suggested to the DAV. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.kunclfh.com.