The son of Etta Parker Albrecht and Jacob Albrecht, Francis was born in Orafino, Neb. He attended school at the University of Nebraska, Kearney State College and Hastings College. He married Mary Jane Thrasher in Central City, Neb., and served in the U.S. Navy aboard the battleships Iowa and Texas. He was a bus driver for Continental Trailways and later joine Burlington Truck Lines as a district manager in McCook and Omaha, Neb., Casper, Wyo.; Billings, Des Moines, Iowa; and Denver, Colo. To give dry details of a live lived so grandly, fully and so fairly seems unjust. This man was fiercely proud of his family, hated any injustices toward others and treated everyone with fairness and dignity. His humor was long remembered by anyone who met him, and we are all great people because of him. The success of his life can be seen in his family and friends. He was all God had hoped for when He first created man. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Al Bedoo Shrine Temple, the Royal Order of Jesters, was past president of the Al Bedoo Greeters, and was a Special Greeter for the Potentate. He was a past president of the Circle K Golden Kiwanis, a board member of St. Vincent Hospital’s Golden Care Advisory Council and a member of the City of Billings Mobility Task Force and the Elks Club. He was a strong supporter of the League of Women Voters and Planned Parenthood. He belonged to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

Gladly carrying on his spirit are his wife, Mary Jane of Billings; his daughters and their husbands, Kathy and Rich Walters of Billings and Cynde Albrecht and Paul VanLaere of Denver, Colo.; his proud grandchildren, Jake and Luke VanLaere of Denver, Colo., and Sara and Josh Walters of Billings; his sister, Viola Amato of Plattsmouth, Neb.; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1241 Crawford Drive, Billings. Memorials can be made to Big Sky Hospice, 1041 N. 29th, Billings; Shrine Crippled Children’s Transportation Trust Fund, 1125 Broadwater, Billings; or St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1241 Crawford, Billings.

“When you are sorrowful, look again into your heart, and you shall see that in truth, you are weeping for that which had been your delight.”

Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.