David E. Francour

David E. Francour, 57, of Ripon, peacefully went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 11, 2022, with family at his side, after a hard-fought battle with metastatic kidney cancer. He was born in West Allis, WI on August 20, 1964 to Thomas R. and Joanne (Diedrich) Francour and he grew up in New Berlin. 

Dave was always up for an adventure or road trip. While in high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.  Upon high school graduation, he was off to serve his country from June 1983 to August 1991 proudly serving in the 3rd Infantry Div. during the military operation campaigns of the Cold War and Desert Storm. His favorite stations were Anchorage, AK, and Kitzigen, Germany.  While in Europe, he toured: France, Spain, Crete, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium.  He was stationed at Fort Riley, KS, Fort Richardson, AK, Fort Dix, NJ, and Fort Hood, TX. He also traveled Canada while in Alaska. Shortly after his honorable discharge from the Army, Dave met Linda Sasada at Lawsonia of Green Lake. It was love at Lawsonia. They married on September 17, 1994.

Dave could wear many hats: manufacturing, construction, restaurant cook, landscaping, Berlin-Hunter's Ed. Safety Instructor, and his favorite, Die cast Operator at Mercury Marine, Fond du Lac. He dearly loved his Mercury family.

Dave was in his element out in nature. Whether Halibut fishing in Alaska, Muskie fishing, or ice fishing on Little Green Lake, or out in the woods camping, cutting down trees, deer hunting, or target practicing with family. If you knew Dave, you experienced his sense of humor, and he had a way of spoiling those he loved.

He enjoyed a wide variety of music, puzzles, scrabble, darts, making bird houses, riding his Harley, cooking, baking, outdoor grilling, and reading, especially History, Military and Civil War History. He was a financial supporter of the Ripon Public Library. Dave was a huge sports fan: Football, Baseball, Hockey, Golf, Volleyball, and NASCAR. He loved brewing his own beer, Marzen/Oktoberfest was his specialty. Dave often visited the local animal shelter. He held a special place in the hearts of many. Several times, Dave stepped out of his comfort zone to become a caregiver to others. Dave enjoyed Genealogy. He had some family history traced back to the 1400's.

Dave is survived by his wife, Linda; 4 sisters:  Lyn (Gary) Gulbins of Muskego, Jeanette (Mark) Pankratz of Waukesha, Susan Marquissee of Kiel, and Mary (Frank) Luczaj of Menomonee Falls; 1 brother, Randy (Tammy) Francour of Brookfield; mother-in-Law, Mary “Marlo” (Harp) Roberts of Ripon; sister-in-Law, Sherry (Bill) Simons; close friend and brother-in-Law, James (Laurie) Sasada of Fairwater; step sisters-in-Law, Christine (Bruce) Zuelke of Oshkosh, and Laurie (Dale) Mishleau of Neshkoro; aunts and uncles: Mary (Michael) Hajny of Hastings, NE, and Jim (Diane) Diedrich of Fond du Lac; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, step family in laws, and other relatives. He is further survived by his special friends, Fran Paul and family of Hampton, NH. Dave was preceded in death by: his parents; uncles: William (Marge) Francour, and Roger (Barbara) Diedrich; and step brother-in-Law, Marlo Roberts Jr.

Cremation has taken place per Dave's wishes.  A visitation for Dave to share memories will be held from 4:00PM until 7:00PM on Friday, April 22, 2022 at Divine Passage Funeral Home, 175 Douglas Street, Ripon.

A private family Celebration of Life for Dave will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Divine Passage Funeral Home with Rev Dr. Kevin Mundell officiating. Immediate family may visit at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:30AM until the time of celebration.  Full military honors will follow.  Interment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date.  A video of the Celebration of Life will be posted on the funeral home website: divinepassagefunerals.com following the service. A memorial has been established. Divine Passage Funeral Home in Ripon is proudly serving the Francour family during this difficult time.

A heartfelt thank you from the family to all providers, caregivers, professionals, work associates, staff, family, friends, neighbors & clergy that helped along Dave's journey. God Bless You!

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