FRANCIS DOOM
Francis Doom, 85, of Wagner, passed away at Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner on July 11, 2023. Funeral mass was held Monday, July 17 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wagner. Burial was in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, rural Wagner. Peters Funeral Home of Wagner was in charge of arrangements.
On July 11, 2023 a true force of nature left his time on this earth. Francis Doom, born August 1,1937 in Ghent, MN to Maurice and Margaret, left an indelible mark on all who he touched. The remainder of his life would be strongly influenced by the premature death of his father when he was three. He talked often of starting his work career at age six to help his single mother provide for the family. He attended Eloi Catholic Grade School in Ghent. His football prowess earned him free tuition at Central Catholic High School in Marshall where he met the love of his life Jeanette Maeyaert.
After completion of high school he began work for the Galanter Lumber Company in Marshall, MN. He and Jeanette were married on September 7, 1957. They moved to Tyler, MN in 1958. That was the same year they began their attempts at maintaining world population with the birth of the first of seven children. Francis often joked that it was a good thing he married Jeannette because she had “all those babies in her'' and that they “had five kids before they knew what caused it”. One month after the birth of twins they moved to Livermore, Iowa where Francis was the manager of the United Building Center, only to be transferred several months later to Wagner, with three children under age two in tow.
He acted on his entrepreneurial spirit in the Spring of 1967 when he purchased Wagner Ready Mix Concrete Company changing the name to Wagner Construction and Redi Mix Company. By 1970 the business had grown to 20 employees. It continued to grow exponentially over the years to include a lumber yard, hardware store, and Arctic Cat Snowmobile dealership. In 1984 he turned his business over to his children, but was unable to remain idle. It was then his “hobby farm” turned into a blossoming exotic cattle operation raising Piedmontese cattle.
He and Jeanette enjoyed many trips traveling around the world. He talked most of the six weeks he spent in the Philippines and two weeks in Australia as part of the Rotary International Group Study Exchange program. He was an avid outdoorsman/hunter and fisherman, which led to his love of Canada and eventual purchase of land and building of the beloved cabin on Kwaninogan’s Lake in Ontario.
His accomplishments over the years were extensive. Along with running a successful business he was a major part of the growth of his community. He served on many committees and governing boards: President / CEO of Wagner Development Corporation, Wagner School Board during planning, bond election, and building of the new school complex, he testified before US Senate and House Appropriations Committee securing federal school funding, Mount Marty College Board of Trustees Chairman, Honorary Doctorate from Mount Marty College, President’s Advisory Council to Small Business, SD Ready Mix Concrete Association Board of Directors, SD Retail, Lumbermen’s Association Board of Directors, Wagner Chamber of Commerce President, Chairman Wagner Labor Day Celebration Committee, President Wagner Rotary Club, Rotary International District Governor, and Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Knight.
The details of his life are far exceeded by his bigger than life personality. Few who met him will ever forget him. He had a booming voice, strong opinions and the gift to exaggerate any story just to the brink of disbelief. If you knew him for very long he likely said something to offend you or that made you laugh hysterically. He was a complicated man to say the least. He was a staunch conservative who at times could be chauvinistic, yet was the patriarch of a family of strong independent women. He was the life of every gathering and proudly led prayer before hundreds of family gatherings. He was quick to shed a tear about anything sentimental, especially the national anthem.
He liked his meat EXTREEMLY RARE and his eggs runny. He had a sweet tooth and love of sour cream raisin pie.
He was the least careful person any of us knew which was clearly evident by his limp and lack of a complete set of fingers. He cheated death more times than any cat. He survived a plane crash, vehicle and tractor accidents, corn pickers, and freezing cold Canada treks and many other events that were left untold. Despite his favorite saying “If you’re born to hang you’ll never drown” his demise involved neither. His head in his final moments rested on a slab of concrete he poured when building his family home in 1975.
Francis was most proud of his work ethic. He often said that “the harder he worked the luckier he got”. He had great pride in his family. He loved watching his children and grandchildren compete in various sports over the years. He was notorious for exaggerating their accomplishments as well. He was a devout Catholic and longtime member of St. John’s Catholic Church.
One of his biggest regrets was the time he missed with his family for work and during his struggles with alcoholism. He spent his later years working hard to make up for time missed. He later gained the strength to become sober Nov 20, 2007. He carried business cards that read: Francis Alcoholic Oh Lord, I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I should be.
I am not what I want to be. But Lord, Thank You For not being what I used to be.
Francis will leave a giant hole in the hearts of his beloved wife, family, and countless friends and acquaintances. Francis is survived by his wife Jeannette Doom and children: Todd (Amy) Doom, Scott (Lynne) Doom, Cindy Lee Williams (Patrick Lee), Jeff (Julie) Doom, Valary (Myles) Tieszen, Bruce (Tamara) Doom and Lisa (Mike) Doom-Anderson; grandchildren: Margaret, Kathryn, Rachel, Jon, Kelsey, Eric, Chris, Austyn, Jenalee, Jilanne, Jessa, Lucas, Cole, Dalton, Bethany, Sydney, Emily, Michael, and Max; 15 great grandchildren; and siblings: Rosemary (Joe) VanKeulen, Richard (Janet) Doom, Lorraine (Joe) Tardy, and Marina (Gary) Grow.
He was preceded in death by his parents Maurice and Margaret Doom and brother-in-law Gary Grow.