Francis Lee Pflanz, 78, of Dakota City, NE passed away on Friday, February 3, 2012 at Regency Square Care Center in South Sioux City, NE.Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at the Mohr Funeral Home, 1431 W. 29th Street, South Sioux City, NE with Father Oscar Perez officiating. Burial will be in the Belden Cemetery in Belden, NE. Visitation will begin at 5:00 P.M., with the family present at 6:00 P.M. and a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be posted at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.Francis was born in rural Belden, NE on January 10, 1934, the son of Edward and Mabel (Fish) Pflanz. He grew up in the Belden area and graduated from Belden High School. He worked for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Francis was also a medic in the Naval Reserve. He married Severa Lange at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Coleridge, NE. The couple lived in Belden, then Worden, Montana before Francis moved back to Dakota City, NE, due to a job transfer. After 42 years with the railroad, he retired and volunteered at the South Sioux City Senior Center where he delivered meals on wheels. He also volunteered at the South Sioux City Eagles Club.Francis was a lifetime member of the Dakota City American Legion and the South Sioux City Eagles Club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting deer and elk, and was an accomplished mechanic. He was very generous, always there to lend a helping hand. Francis especially loved his cat, Kelli.Survivors include his wife, Severa of Worden, MT; 3 sons, Charles Pflanz of Belton, MO, Douglas Pflanz of Andover, KS and Marti Pflanz of Aliso Viejo, CA; 2 grandsons, Travis and Nathan Pflanz; brother, Donnovan (Rosemary) Pflanz of Norfolk, NE; sister, Virginia (Gene) Magden of Sioux City, IA; special nieces and nephews, Dennis and Jeffrey Magden, Lori (Donny) and Cash Bratetic, Lisa (Craig) and Colin Campbell; and many other nieces and nephews.Francis was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Mabel Pflanz.