Francis "Tony" Haper

FRANCIS "TONY" LOUIS HAPER was born November 16, 1931 to Henry and Anna (Brandt) Haper in Moody County, South Dakota on the family farm. At age 4, his family moved just outside of Ward, South Dakota where he later attended country school and helped on the farm until 1953 when he was drafted into the Airborne Military Police in Augusta, Georgia. He was honorably discharged in July of 1954. Tony was united in Marriage to Loretta O’Toole on December 30, 1957 at St. Dionysus Catholic Church in Tyler, Minnesota. They moved to Luverne, Minnesota where they made their home and raised their children. Tony worked at IBP from 1961 to 1980. He then bought the Adrian Mini Mart where he worked with his wife for 38 years. He also owned a pizza place in Fulda, Minnesota and a store in Ashton, Iowa. The couple bought a home on Lake Shetek in 1991 and in 2008 they left their home of 36 years in Luverne to move full-time to the lake home. In April 2015, Tony and Loretta moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On Monday, September 3, 2018 while at the South Ridge Rehabilitation Center, Tony passed away peacefully at the age of 86 years, 9 months and 17 days.

Tony enjoyed the outdoors while hunting, fishing, golfing, and gardening. He also loved to play the stock market and games. Traveling was one of Tony’s passions and he appreciated the time he was able to spend in Arizona with his daughter. He especially enjoyed simply sitting outside in the sun.

Tony will be remembered by his wife, Loretta; children, Steven (Glenda Bremer) of Luverne, Deborah Smith of Sioux Falls, Diane of Luverne, and Deb of Fulda; six grandchildren, Anna, Elizabeth, Ben, Charles (Stephanie), Molly (Keith), and Abby; five great-grandchildren, Will, Sam, Declan, Kylah and Walter Francis. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathy McBride; son, Gary Haper; granddaughter, Mary Haper; parents, Henry and Anna Haper; brother, Ralph Haper; and three sisters, Vera Mersch, Margaret Gelderman, and Betty Haper.