Francis Leeson Millburn, age 89, of Norwalk passed away peacefully October 24, 2023 at EveryStep Hospice Kavanagh House in Des Moines. Visitation will be on Saturday, October28, 2023, from 1:00 -3:00 pm at Coburn Funeral Homes in Colfax, Iowa. A joint service will be held at a future date on the passing of Lucille Ann Millburn, his wife of almost 69 years. Memorials may be directed to the Colfax Public Library or EveryStep Hospice and condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

The son of Frank Leeson Millburn and Margaret (Walsh) Millburn, Francis was born on January 10, 1934. He grew up with his sister, Margaret Ann Clark in Colfax and graduated from Colfax High School as class president in 1952. Francis was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953, where he was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. It was on a blind date that year that his life changed when he met and fell in love with a raven haired beauty, Lucille Ann Boles, who had just returned from doing service in the Air Force. They married the next year and started an amazing life together which included the birth of five children: Kathy (Thomas) Kaldenberg, Francis Jay Millburn, Karen (Randy) Douglas, Patty (Craig) Shissler, and Matthew Millburn. Their family expanded with grandchildren: Matt and Mike Douglas; Dan, Dave and James Shissler; Austin Kazos, Sam Millburn and Mattea Millburn; Sarah Beth Helton and great grandchildren Gavin Peterson, Isaac Oltjenbruns and Daxton, Douglas; Bruce, Kathleen and Marilyn Shissler; Scarlett, Lucille and Conrad Shissler. Francis loved his family dearly and enjoyed countless celebrations, visits, and fishing trips.

Francis strongly believed in service to his country and community. He belonged to Jaycees, American Legion, AmVets, Knights of Columbus, Jasper County Korean Veterans, Colfax School Board, Indian Y Guides, Colfax Little League, Colfax Fire Department, and the Colfax Library Board.

Francis retired in 1996 from MidAmerican and he and LuAnn began to travel. His favorite destination was Paris, because visiting there was the life long dream of his beloved wife. The extra time also allowed Francis to pursue his passion for manicuring his lawn and especially his hedges, which caught the eye of anyone traveling on Walnut Street. Throughout his married life, he supported LuAnn in her interest in home interiors and entertaining. Together they ran Millburn Decorating for ten years and the various parties held at the Millburn home are legendary among family and friends.

Francis loved to fish, but only in northern Minnesota, mostly on Shell Lake, where the northern pike were thick. The quiet and the beautiful sunsets were irresitible and frequent trips were made over 50 years of his life.

A voracious reader, Francis always had a stack of books by his chair and he kept a detailed list of all the authors and series that he favored. He also was an early adopter of technology and delighted his family with weekly emails labeled "Another Saturday".

In 2021, Francis and LuAnn moved to Holland Farms Assisted Living in Norwalk, where Francis was elected "sheriff" and became beloved by staff and residents alike.

Francis was preceded in death by his son, Francis Jay, parents, sister and brother-in-law, Duane Clark.