Francis Herman Draude
November 4, 1925 – December 24, 2023

Francis Herman Draude, 98 years, of Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 24, 2023. Francis was born on November 4, 1925 in Fritzlar, Hessen Germany to parents Karl and Elizabeth (nee Muller) Draude. The family emigrated to Canada on the Metagama ship, landing in Quebec and then taking a train to Muenster in 1926. They then moved to the Naicam area where he attended Champlain School until Grade 8 and St. Peter’s College at Muenster for Grades 9, 10 and part of 11. Francis farmed with his brothers in the summer and in the winter months ventured to Summerland, BC to work with his dad in his apple orchard. He met Mary Theissing, who was working as a domestic aide at his brother’s farm, and they were married on October 30, 1951 in Humboldt. Together they raised a family of eight children. A few years after they were married they began farming on their own, east of Annaheim, operating a mixed farm with grain, cattle, pigs, and chickens. In 1956, they built a new house on the farm to accommodate their growing family. Francis enjoying doing woodworking with his lathe and fishing in the summer, mostly at Kipabiskau Lake. He and his brothers formed the Draude Brothers band, with Francis playing the clarinet. Mary and Francis enjoyed square dancing together. Francis was a member of the local School Board and the St. Ann Church Board. In 2000, Francis and Mary moved to Humboldt although he continued to go to the farm to help Gerard, especially at harvest when he could do the combining. Harvest 2022 was his last time in the combine. In 2022, they moved to Bethany Pioneer Village in Middle Lake. Francis will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 72 years, Mary Draude of Middle Lake; their eight children: Jerome (Terri) Draude of Penticton, BC; Rita Crone of Osoyoos, BC; Donna Draude (Darren) of Saskatoon; David Draude (Jody) of Annaheim; Denis Draude of Humboldt; Richard (Heather) Draude of Red Deer, AB; Maurice (Sandi) Draude of Wakaw; and Gerard Draude of Annaheim; 19 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Francis was predeceased by his parents Karl and Elizabeth Draude; parents-in-law John and Katherine (nee Fleischhacker) Weiss; son-in-law Erwin Crone; grandson Justin Draude; and all of his siblings: Anne, Carl, Clara, Matilda, Adolph, Ernest, Mary, Margaret and John. A Prayer Service for Francis will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. and the Funeral Mass will be offered on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Both services will be held at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Humboldt. Interment will follow in the St. Augustine Parish Cemetery. Memorial donations in Francis’ memory may be made to St. Augustine Parish or Bethany Pioneer Village.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to
Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home & Crematorium
Phone: 682-1622