Francis James "Frisco" Zerwas


picture taken in front of Valentines Bakery in Manning, IA

Francis enlisted in the Navy Air Corps on October 13, 1942, and entered active service on May 13, 1943. Following graduation from naval air training in Corpus Christi, Texas, Francis was commissioned an Ensign on December 13, 1944. He received his Certificate of Pilot Status on April 23, 1945, from Jacksonville, Florida, and went on to advanced PBY training in Hutchinson, Kansas. Francis was assigned to a unit in Miami, Florida, August 12, 1945, flying reconnaissance missions over international waters. He was transferred to San Diego, California, on October 30 and honorably discharged from active service on December 22, 1945. Francis also served as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Naval Reserve following his active duty.

February 8, 2004 Ohde Funeral Home

A Little Prayer for You
When you're alone with God
And He sweetly smiles on thee,
Will you gently whisper to Him
A little prayer for me?
And when I'm alone with God
And all else is hid from view,
I'll gently drop into His Heart
A little prayer for you.

 

Prayers
ROSARY 4:00 PM
LED BY IOLA MUHLBAUER & MARY ANN RENZE
PRAYER SERVICE 7:30 PM
REVEREND JAMES MCALPIN
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2004
OHDE FUNERAL HOME, MANNING, IOWA

Military Honors
AMERICAN LEGION EMIL EWOLDT POST 22
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS Post 3517

The family wishes to express their gratitude for your kindness evidenced in
thought, word, and deed and invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship
at the church following the committal service.

 

In Loving Memory Francis J. Zerwas

The Mass of Christian Burial
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2004, 10:30 AM SACRED HEART CHURCH, MANNING, IOWA

Celebrant REVEREND JAMES MCALPIN

Lectors Brian Beck Iola Muhlbauer

Mass Servers SHELBY HANSEN ERICKA TANK

Eucharistic Minister MARGARET FREESE

Gift Bearers Grandchildren ALLISON GRANER SCOTT WANNINGER RACHEL WANNINGER

Music "You ARE MINE" "PRAYER OF ST FRANCIS" "LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH"
CONGREGATION
"BEAUTIFUL SAVIOR" PHYLLIS NOBLE, VOCALIST LIVIE MOHR, CANTOR PAT HEITHOFF, ORGANIST

Interment SACRED HEART CEMETERY, MANNING, IOWA

Casketbearers - Grandchildren MATT GRANER, STEVEN GRANER, BRIAN BECK, MICHELLE GRANER, STEPHANIE BECK, KATIE BECK

 

Francis (Frisco) James, son of Philip and Agnes (Brunnier) Zerwas, was born November 27, 1922, in Manning, Iowa. He graduated from Manning High School in 1940 and attended Iowa State University. From 1943 to 1945, Francis served in the Navy Air Corps as a pilot. He flew missions over international waters out of Miami, Florida. After his honorable discharge, Francis returned to Manning and worked in the family business, the Manning Telephone Company.

On July 8, 1952, Francis was united in marriage with Rita M. Theobald at St. Mary's Church in Mapleton. Four children were born to this union. The family made their home in Manning where Francis continued to work in the family business. After Manning Telephone Company was sold in 1967 he became the area manager for United Telephone Company until his retirement in 1982.

Francis was active in the community. He was a member of Sacred Heart Parish and the Parish Council, as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, City Council and Rotary where he served as president. He was a charter member and director of Manning Development Corporation and served on the golf course and ambulance boards. Francis served for many years as a member and past chief of the Manning Volunteer Fire Department and a director of the Manning Trust and Savings Bank. In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, bowling, woodworking, yard work, playing cards, and trips to the casino.

After a number of years of health problems, Francis' health began to seriously deteriorate around Christmas 2003. On Thursday, February 5, 2004, Francis died at Manning Regional Healthcare Center in Manning at the age of 81 years, 2 months and 9 days.

Preceding Francis in death are his parents, three brothers Eugene, Robert and LeRoy (Dick) Zerwas and sister Sister Agnese, FSPA, (Alice Zerwas).

He is survived by his wife Rita Zerwas of Manning; four children: Jennifer and husband Robert Beck of Omaha, NE; Jessica and husband Gary Graner of Omaha, NE; Brad Zerwas of San Diego, CA; and Joanna and husband Jim Wanninger of Des Moines; 9 grandchildren: Matt, Steven, Michelle and Allison Graner; Brian, Stephanie and Katie Beck; and Scott and Rachel Wanninger; sister Sister Mary Philip (Phyllis Zerwas) of LaCrosse, WI; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Manning Monitor articles ------ 1945

January 18,1945
Francis J. Zerwas graduates from Naval Air Training Base, Corpus Christi, and is commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Commissioned
Corpus Christi, Texas.
Francis James Zerwas, son of Mrs. Phil Zerwas, of 214 May street, Manning, graduated recently from the Naval Air Training Base, Corpus Christi, and was commissioned an ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve.

He is a former student of the Iowa State college, Ames.
Each Naval aviator is an expert flyer, navigator, aerologist, gunner, and radio operator. Naval aviators fly carrier-based or land-based planes in combat zones, or at Naval air stations at home and abroad.

Types of planes in Naval aviation include fighters, dive bombers, scout and observation, multi-engined bombers, patrol planes„ and air transports.
Whether in the Marine Corps or in the Navy, Naval aviators wear the famous "Wings of Gold."

Ensign Francis Zerwas, son of Mrs. Agues Zerwas, has a 15-day leave enroute from Jacksonville, Fla., to Hutchinson, Kans.
He is in the navy air corps.

Ensign Francis Zerwas of the Navy Air Corps went to Hutchinson, Kansas after spending a leave with his mother, Mrs. Phil Zerwas and other relatives. Ensign Zerwas came here from Jacksonville, Florida and left Tuesday morning.