Francis Fure

Francis Kenneth “Kenny” Fure, passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at Manor Care Health Services, Platteville. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 8, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Platteville. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville, where military rites will be accorded by VFW Post #5274 and American Legion Post #42. Father Alex Navarro will officiate. Friends may call from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 7, 2016 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, where there will be a parish rosary at 2:45 p.m. Friends may also call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Monday, at the church. Memorials may be made to the Francis Kenneth “Kenny” Fure Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Kenny was born prematurely and at home on August 13, 1929 to William and Mary Ellen (Linden) Fure. As the family story goes, the doctor who delivered him told his parents that if he was alive yet at noon to let him know. Kenny was so small at birth that his father could slide his wedding ring all the way up his arm to his shoulder. His Grandmother Linden kept him warm by filling Mason jars with hot water and placing them around the shoe box that served as his bassinette. Kenny graduated from Platteville High School in 1949. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on October 12, 1950 and was given a hardship discharge on June 18, 1954 so he could take care of the family farm after his father fell ill. Kenny married Joan Leyh on September 18, 1956. He and Joan farmed in the area for 8 years until Kenny began working for the Wisconsin State University – Platteville as a maintenance mechanic; he eventually was promoted to electrician and retired in 1989.

Kenny was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, uncle, and brother. He absolutely loved to hunt deer and turkey and go fishing. He and his brothers and younger sister made annual fishing trips up north for many years. He loved to tinker and could build or fix anything. He also volunteered at St. Mary's Parochial School for many years, performing electrical work and other maintenance at no charge.

Kenny is survived by his brother, Paul (Donna) Fure of Platteville; sisters-in-law, Ida Fure of Cassville, WI and Joyce Novinski of Edmund, WI. He is also survived by five children, Linda (William) Koepcke of Verona, WI; Lawrence (Diane) Fure, of Belmont, WI; Karen (Joseph) Hammes of Waukesha, WI; Stan Fure of Madison; and Chris (Nate Williams) Fure of Fridley, MN; six grandchildren, Mike Fure, Matt Fure, Aimee (Jamin) Arn, Ryan Murray, and Alyssa and Jenna Hammes; one step-granddaughter, Christina (Jeff) Liepins; one step-grandson, Raymond Koepcke; nine great-grandchildren, Simon, Christian, Joshua, Collin, Jacob, Kaitlyn, Autumn, Hunter, and Jake; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joan; sisters, Florence Hoadley and Mary Reuter; brother, Clarence Fure; two infant sons, Wayne and Kevin; and granddaughter, Kayla Hammes.