Francis Geisen

Date of Birth

Oct 04,1933

Date of Death

Feb 13,2020

Francis “Butch” Geisen, age 86, of Maple Park, IL, was taken home to Heaven, free of his earthly chains, on Thursday, February 13, 2020.
He was born October 4, 1933, in Virgil, IL, to proud parents Nicholas and Hildegard (Welter) Geisen.
He grew up in Virgil right next to the S.S. Peter & Paul Parish Center and attended first to eighth grade there. Marmion Military Academy on the Lake Street Campus was where he graduated high school as an officer in 1952.
Butch’s cousin Jane was in the Peace Corps with Barbara Meyer, from Milwaukee, WI. Upon their return, Jane and Barbara kept in touch with frequent visits. Butch and Barbara eventually met through Jane, but it would be a year later before he traveled up to Milwaukee to have their first date. That date led to many more, and eventually marriage. They were married on October 23, 1971, at St. Josaphat’s Basilica in Milwaukee. They began their new life together in Virgil, IL, for the next 48 years where they had five children.
Butch’s hands were meant to work and spent sixty years in concrete construction. Calluses told a story of a work ethic forged in steel. He spent several years alongside his dad at Illinois Hydraulic Construction, but eventually established his own business, F.E. Geisen Concrete Construction. After over 40 years of putting his blood, sweat and tears into his business, Butch laid down his tools in 2007. Two years later in 2009, he stepped away from raising mink, a job he began at the age of 18 behind the Virgil Grocery Store.
Butch was a member of the S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, a long time altar boy with his brother and past member of the Holy Name Society. He also was a proud and founding member of “Scarfy Friends Social Club” at Norm’s Service Station in Virgil, where they specialized in playing horseshoes, drinking beer and cooking roadkill. Literally.
Butch grew up hunting, trapping, fishing and playing baseball for the American Legion alongside his brother, Goose Geisen. Fishing trips to Canada topped his travel destinations but he made a name for himself knocking down ten pins during his time on a local bowling team. In addition to playing, Butch’s company also sponsored countless teams throughout the community over the years. Butch was a huge Chicago Bears fan and a season ticket holder for 68 years. He cheered them on through thick and thin, bleeding blue and orange, living and dying with his team every Sunday. His passion for baseball lasted his whole life through and he saw his dreams come true when his beloved Cubs finally won the World Series. Once a month, Butch met with some close friends and played poker for hours. He was rarely idle, but when he did sit down and rest, he liked to learn about the world through National Geographic. “Hans” was the name he gave every German Shepherd that came to live on the farm and in his heart. Butch was a devout catholic his whole life and prayed the rosary every day and watched Judge Judy. His memory will live long in the hearts of those who knew him and will never be forgotten.
He is survived by his loving wife Barbara Geisen; four children: Ann, Scott, David and Mary Geisen; one sister Catherine “Sis” Saelens; sister-in-laws, Carol Geisen and Karen Nittritz; several cousins, five nieces, one nephew, a host of Godchildren and a countryside of friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Hildegard Geisen; one son Mark Geisen, brother, Bob Geisen, brother-in-law Ed Saelens and his cousin Jane Welter.
Visitation will be from 3-8p.m. with a wake service to end visitation at 8 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2020 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 22, at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Virgil, IL. Following cremation, private family burial will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Butch’s name. Checks may be made to the “Francis Geisen Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com

A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 22, at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Virgil, IL.

Visitation will be from 3-8p.m. with a wake service to end visitation at 8 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2020 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL

Following cremation, private family burial will follow at a later date.

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