Francis Steichen, 93, passed away at his Turlock home. Fran was born in St. Cloud, MN to Joseph and Mary Steichen. He graduated from St. Cloud Teachers College and moved to California in 1947. He served in the Army 95th Infantry Div. in World War II. He was highly decorated with 2 Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and a Battlefield Commission as a Second Lieutenant. After the war he met and married the love of his life, Marjorie Henderson, and they were married at Sacred Heart Church in Turlock in August of 1950. Mr. Steichen taught at Hawthorne and Wakefield  Schools for 33 years and retired in 1980. He served as the Recreation Director for Turlock from 1964 to ‘68.
  Mr. Steichen is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marjorie Steichen; four children: Diana (Ted) Knudsen of Pennsylvania, Dr. Dale (Sandy) Steichen of Connecticut, Sherry Lumley of Minnesota, and Mark (Laura) Steichen of Sonora, CA; two siblings: LeRoy Steichen of Ojai, CA and Mary Jean Lang of St. Cloud, MN, 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
  Visitation will be at Allen Mortuary on Sunday, Jan. 12th from 10 to 12 am.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Monday, Jan. 13 at 11:30 am. Burial will follow at Turlock Memorial Park. Please consider memorial gifts for Habitat for Humanity, VFW Foundation, or Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Memories and condolences are welcome at www.allenmortuary.com.