Home » Obits » Gohla, Francis Joseph

Gohla, Francis Joseph

Francis (Francie or Fran) Joseph Gohla was born January 28, 1933 and died peacefully with family by his side on December 9, 2015 at Bethany Nursing Home in Waupaca, WI.

He was born in Mankato, Minnesota to Frank and Genevieve Gohla and was one of eight children. He married Mary Grace Elizabeth Roth June 2, 1956 at Our Lady Perpetual Help Church in Ashton, IA. After high school, Fran spent two years in the Army at Fort Hood, Texas. He received a BS in Business Education from St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN in 1957. After 23 years of teaching high school business education courses and coaching at Waupaca High School, he retired in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Fran was passionate about sports teams including the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Milwaukee Brewers and Wisconsin Badgers. He also enjoyed many other college and high school sports. He loved fishing, card playing, pool and most recently shuffle board.

Fran is survived by his wife Grace, Waupaca, WI and his sister Carolyn (William) Quirk, Dell City, Oklahoma. He is also survived by his eight children: Joe Gohla, Madison, WI; Marge (Dave) Rice, Elgin, IL; Joan Nelson, West Lafayette, IN; Tim (Connie) Gohla, Jordan, MN; Mark Gohla, Oshkosh, WI; Rita (Craig) Mortenson, Madison, WI; Dennis (Teresa) Gohla, Houlton, WI; and Mona (Robert) Teffeteller, Eagle, ID. He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren: Oesten, Christyn, Svea, Erica, Brittany, Daniel, Matthew, Rachel, Aaron, Marlo, Dawson, Anna, Cole, and three great-grandchildren: Samuel, Noah and Evelynn.

The funeral services for Fran will be held on Saturday, December 19th at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Waupaca, WI. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. with a mass at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund to benefit the Waupaca community has been established in Fran Gohla’s name in care of Tim Gohla, 19386 Vergus Avenue, Jordan, MN, 55352. Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.

Scroll to Top