Francis A. Grollmes, 87, Valley Falls, died Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka.

 He was born Dec. 23, 1931, at Seneca, the son of Paul Frederick and Helen B. Gudenkauf Grollmes. He graduated from Valley Falls High School in 1950. Francis served in the US Army and was stationed in Korea from 1952-54. He attained the rank of Motor Pool Sgt.

Francis had served on the Valley Falls City Council and was elected Mayor. He served as Jefferson County Commissioner from 1997-2009 . He was a heavy equipment operator for Jefferson County Road & Bridge, and retired after many years of service. He had worked as a welder for Haul-Mor Manufacturing in Valley Falls. 

 He was a life long farmer, enjoyed his grandchildren’s activities and loved playing cards.

Francis was a lifetime member of Grahem-Herbers Post 3084, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was a past president of the Valley Falls Saddle Club. He was a member of St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Valley Falls, and Knights of Columbus Council 6671. 

 He married Helen Virginia Emmerich, Sept. 15, 1956, at Nortonville.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia, of the home; his children, Larry (Alisa) Grollmes, Topeka, Patty (Carl) Bendure, Valley Falls, Debra (Mike) Noll, Winchester, and daughter-in-law, Lori Grollmes, Valley Falls; a brother, Leo Grollmes, Nortonville; a sister, Mary Wessel, Atchison; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Jim Grollmes, and three sisters, Alice Frakes, Sara Catherine Grollmes, and Helen Marie Grollmes.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church In Valley Falls. Burial will follow at the parish cemetery with military honors by Grahem-Herbers Post 3084 V.F.W. The Rosary will be at 6:00 pm Friday, at the church. Visitation will follow.

    Memorial contributions may be made to Jefferson County Home Health, the Restoration Fund at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, or to Jefferson County EMS District 11 and sent c/o Mercer Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088. Online condolences are welcome at www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.