Francis Dean Andrew

Francis Dean Andrew

Francis Dean Andrew of rural Grand River, Iowa, passed away July 22, 2024, in Hospice Care, Mount Ayr, Iowa, and is with his Lord Jesus in heaven.
Francis was born March 20, 1935, to Ray Everett and Margaret Ethel (Bunch) Andrew.  Francis was born at the family farm south of Grand River, Iowa.  Francis was the oldest child of six children.  Francis was raised in a loving home and a hardworking family.
Francis attended school and graduated in 1953 from Leon High School in Leon, Iowa.
On June 11, 1955, Francis and Yvonne Marie (Roland) were united in marriage at the Leon Brethren Church.  Francis and Yvonne were raised in the Brethren Church and had a faithful relationship with the Lord.  Frank and Yvonne had two daughters, Kathy and Karla.
Frank loved to work running his dozer, backhoe, and anything with an engine.  In high school Frank worked for his Uncle Ralph Andrew and became a heavy equipment operator and started his dirt work career.
Frank was still working when he was struck with Transverse Myelitis and lost mobility in his hands and lower body.  Frank never gave up.   And, though he never got to work again he ran his dozer on the farm.  Frank would find a tree to get rid of, and other projects kept him busy developing new methods of getting his work done. He used his electric wheelchair daily on the farm until the chair could not navigate the terrain.
Frank left a forever legacy to his daughters, grandsons, and great-grandchildren.  He lived by example.  Love God, work hard, don’t give up, be honest, be kind and patient.  We are blessed by God to have had him as our Daddy and Pops.
Frank is survived by his wife Yvonne; his daughters Kathy (Merrill) Hamilton and Karla (Randy) Maxwell; his grandsons Hiram (Samantha) Maxwell, Taylor (Stephanie) Andrew; great grandchildren Brooklyn, Braelyn, Bryce Andrew and Ellie Maxwell; his siblings Bob Andrew, Jim (Nancy) Andrew and Joyce Binning; and many other family members.
Frank was preceded in death by parents Ray and Margaret Andrew; siblings Jeannie Dale and Judy Hutchison; in-laws Gene Dale, Larry Hutchison, Mary Andrew, and Frank Binning; nephews Todd Andrew and Bruce Dale.
Services were held Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Trinity Christian Church in Decatur, Iowa. Burial was in the Trinity Hills Cemetery. Memorials are in his name to be decided. Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the Arrangements.