Francis "Frank" Brunner, age 83 of New Ulm passed away on October 24, 2022 after a short battle with cancer.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – SOUTH chapel. Burial will follow in the Church of St. George Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5-7 pm on Monday, October 31, 2022 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – SOUTH chapel and will continue one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org

Francis is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Janette; son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Cindy; two grandsons, Justin and Kyle, all of New Ulm; sisters-in-law, Gail (Kent) Blomquist, Arline Brunner, and Arlene Metzen; brothers-in-law, Ralph (Sue) Maidl and Ed (Jane) Maidl; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and specials friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ben Jr., Sylvester, and Gerald; a sister in infancy; brother-in-law, Ted Metzen; sister-in-law, Delores Brunner; and in-laws, Wanda and Edward Maidl.

Francis Herbert Brunner was born on December 2, 1938 in New Ulm to Benedict and Catherine (Brandel) Brunner. He attended grade school in St. George and graduated from New Ulm High School in 1954. Francis married Janette Maidl on January 12, 1963 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm. They lived in St. George before moving to New Ulm. Francis worked as a carpenter in Fairfax, then for General Trading Company in New Ulm. He continued as a master carpenter, working at Maderfield Lumber and later, Design Home Center, both in New Ulm. Francis was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters for 66 years. Francis was an avid fisherman, a true River Rat, and an outdoor person. The family woods along the Minnesota River was his paradise. He loved spending time there with his son and grandsons. Other times, you could find him sitting in his shop in front of the wood stove or crafting a project out of wood. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Blessed be his memory.