Francis Faust

Francis Faust, 89, of Dexter, passed away surrounded by family Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at MercyOne Medical Center in West Des Moines, Iowa.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 4, 2023, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Winterset Chapel, Winterset, IA. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the Early Chapel Christian Church, rural Earlham, Iowa. Burial will follow in the Penn Center Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a future designation. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.

Francis Leroy Faust was born in Madison County, Iowa on March 26, 1934, the son of Carl and LuLu (Thrailkill) Faust. He graduated from Dexter High School. In high school, he excelled at athletics, including football and basketball. Following high school, he worked with a friend moving houses and logging trees. He met Viola Jean Parker on a blind date through friends and found the love of his life on his very first date. They were united in marriage on February 14, 1954, at the Marquisville Evangelical Church in Des Moines, Iowa and built a legacy of love and faithfulness that lasted over 63 years.

Francis was a farmer, but we prefer agricultural engineer in charge of operations, production, marketing, and strategic planning. He rented, then purchased the farm he was born and raised on and tended to that sacred land until his last days. He and Viola milked cows, raised angus beef, hogs, dairy goats, chickens, rabbits, and any other animals their kids could show at the county fair over the years. He took great pride in raising his livestock knowing he was feeding many families well.

Francis was a true servant leader who touched many lives. From over 15 years as the leader of the Penn Prizewinners 4H Club to decades serving at every level of leadership at Early Chapel Church, his life’s impact on others is lasting. Francis enjoyed hunting with sons, grandsons, and neighbors each year. The joy of his life has been watching his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren flourish.

His life is a legacy of love, leadership, loyalty, integrity, work ethic, and unfailing faith. His oversized hands and heart gave everything he had to his family, his community, and his faith.

Francis is survived by his children, Diana (Arlan) Engelbrecht of Eldridge, Dennis (Tracy) Faust of Winterset, Danny (Connie) Faust of Earlham, and Donna (Mark) Aman of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Corey (Erin) Engelbrecht, Kevin (Hannah) Engelbrecht, Craig (Heidi) Engelbrecht, and Jodi Faust, Becky Faust (Jimi Davis), Jessica (Matt) Conaway, and Crystal Faust, Andrew Faust (Andrea Rider), Spencer (Addy) Faust, Jenna (Collin) Maag, Alberto Garza and Valerie Aman. He is also survived by twenty-three great grandchildren, (with undoubtedly more on the way); and sisters, Rosalie Longan, Karen Skala, and Janet Zody and brother Jim Faust.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Viola; daughter, Heidi DeAnna; grandson, Kurt Engelbrecht; sister, Marjorie Larson; and brothers, Eugene, Melvin, Cecil, and Jack Faust.