Francis Schol

Francis Henry "Bud" Schol passed away on Monday May 30th, 2011 at the age of 88 at the Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Bud was born in Bigelow, Minnesota on February 17, 1923 to John and Minnie (Siebrand) Schol. The family moved to Northwood, North Dakota in 1929. Bud enjoyed telling stories from his youth; his rat terrier named Jiggs, seeing "Birth of a Nation" in silent format, working the popcorn stand on the street on Wednesdays and Saturdays for his uncle. In his early boyhood, his favorite actor was Buck Jones in first silent then in talkies but John Wayne was his favorite actor throughout his adult life. He graduated from Northwood High School and attended the University of North Dakota before enlisting in the Army Air Corp during World War II and discharged at the end of the war as a Corporal. While he didn't serve oversees, as a crew chief he trained flight crews for overseas deployment. Upon discharge he returned home and began farming. On January 9, 1946 he married Dena Kuipers. In 1964, they started a cage layer chicken operation. In 1975, they sold the operation and moved into Northwood. Bud and Dena moved to Denver in 1980. In 2005, they moved to Oklahoma City, OK. In April of 2006, his wife of 60 years passed away. In 2008, he returned to North Dakota and moved to Minnesota in 2009. He enjoyed woodworking, writing, a good debate, and studying the Bible. Bud loved interacting with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. Over the years, Bud has been active in churches in North Dakota, Denver, and Oklahoma impacting the lives of many. Bud had a very strong faith right up until his death. He loved to study the Bible and was a great source for information. Francis Schol is survived by Ronald (Nancy) Schol of Thornton, CO, Carol (William) Wekar of Oklahoma City, OK, Larry Schol of Oklahoma City, OK, Jackie (George) Wyatt of Brits, South Africa, Janice Gilbertson of Fargo, ND, and 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife Dena, April 11, 2006, his daughter Mary Ann, his son Daryl in 2010, grandchild J. D. Lyle in 1980, his parents John and Minnie Schol, his siblings William Schol, Katherine "Kate" Gravdahl, Jeanne "Patty" Prestbo, Hennrietta "Toots" Pritzkau, Viola "Lola" Goff, Betty Lou Braaten, and son-in-law Dennis Gilbertson Bud will be greatly missed by all of those who knew him; his sense of humor, his love for his God and his love for his country. Services were held at the Sunnymeade Baptist Church in Oklahoma City on June 3, 2011. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Francis Schol please visit our Sympathy Store.