FRANCIS LEE MANGNALL
Francis Lee Mangnall, the only child of James and Margaret (Applegate) Mangnall, was born June 22, 1946 in Auburn, Nebraska. He grew up living with family in Peru, Nebraska, and was known to family as “Lee”. Francis graduated from Peru Prep High School, Peru, in 1964.
Francis attended Peru State College for two years majoring in Elementary Education.
On August 29, 1969 Francis was united in marriage to Jacqueline L. Rumbaugh at the Peru Christian Church. They made their home in Auburn, Nebraska. They were blessed with three daughters: Laura, Kendra, and Jana. After the unexpected death of Jacqueline, Francis married Peggy J. (Root) Severson on January 4, 1982. Francis then adopted Peggy’s two children Richard and Jennifer. They also made their home in Auburn.
Francis was baptized in 1957 at the Peru Christian Church. After marrying Jacqueline he transferred to the United Methodist Church of Auburn. He then became a member of the Auburn Christian Church after his marriage to Peggy where he served as a deacon for several years.
Francis began his working career with Wood Carv and the Nebraska State Highway Department. Francis worked for 16 years at the Nemaha County Hospital. At the hospital, Francis wore many hats. He worked as custodian, grounds keeper, and ambulance driver. Francis took great pride in his work; he always loved the way the hospital grounds looked when he finished mowing and trimming and he loved driving the ambulance. He ended his working career with 18 years of service to the Auburn Public Schools as a custodian/bus driver. One of his favorite memories working at the school was working in the cafeteria during lunch and singing to the kids.
Francis was a member of the Auburn Jaycees, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3767 Auburn Chapter, and the Auburn Optimists. Francis enjoyed bowling, fishing, playing cards, and pool league. After retiring, Francis’s most enjoyable past time was spending time with family, especially the grandkids.
Francis passed away at his home in Auburn surrounded by his family on Friday, April 16th at the age of 74.
Francis is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Jacqueline, in-laws Harold and Laura Mae (Flies) Rumbaugh, father-in-law Keith Root, brothers-in-law Thomas Rumbaugh and Ted Root, and two grandchildren Damian Gerdes and Fynn Mangnall.
Survivors include wife Peggy, Auburn; children Laura (Bob) Wooten, Tarkio, Missouri, Kendra (Lyle) McMann, Auburn, Jana (Jeremy) Gerdes, Humboldt, Richard (Lori) Mangnall, Auburn, and Jennifer (James) Elting, Portland, Oregon. Grandchildren Clint (Amanda) Wooten, Josh Wooten, Kami (Jamie) Bruning, Garrett (Nicole) McMann, Kelly McMann, Jacqueline Rohrs (Cody Whitmire), Dustine Rohrs, Jacob McMann (Sarah Baker), Alyssa Rohrs, Thomas Gerdes, Alayna, Michael, and Kendel Morgan-Gerdes, Emily Mang nall-Cummings, Gary, Ira, Graely, and Oliver Mangnall, Maxwell Skog, Maizy Elting-Skog, and Luna Elting. Great Grandchildren Carter, Rylie, and Josie Wooten, Skylar Bruning, Landon Wooten, Audrey and Connor McMann, Noah Shaver, Juliana Fanning, Tenzley and Emerson Whitmire. Mother-in-law Connie Root. Brothers-in-law Steve (Ann) Root and Mike Root. Sisters-in-law Kathy Rumbaugh, Jean Rumbaugh, Diane Root, Debbie Bean, Tisha (Mike) Sparr, and Sue (Shane) Charbonnet. Numerous other family and friends.
A memorial service will be Saturday, April 24, 2021, 10:30 a.m., at the Auburn Christian Church. Burial will follow in Bedford Cemetery at Howe. Visitation will be at Hemmingsen Funeral Home on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6:00 to 8:00.
A live video feed of the service will be provided by the church and available via https://www.hemmingsenfuneralhome.com/obituaries/ Francis-Mangnall/
Memorials are suggested to the Auburn Christian Church or Bedford Cemetery.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral of Auburn.