Francis J. Vait, 72, of Freemont, CA, formerly of Fairfax, MN, died on Thursday, July 28, 2011 Freemont, CA. Visitation will be at Divine Providence Community Home Chapel, Sleepy Eye on Wednesday from 9 to 10 AM. Service will be held at Divine Providence Community Home Chapel on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 10:00 AM Military rites by the Sleepy Eye Honor Guard. The Clergy will be Fr. Bernard J. Steiner. Interment St. George Catholic Cemetery Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye, MN. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family via www.sturmfh.com

Francis "Willie" Joseph Vait was born on November 13, 1938 in Fairfax, MN, the son of Willaim & Cecilia (Schneider) Vait. He grew up and attended school in Fairfax. After he completed his schooling he worked for a short time and then enlisted in the US Marines. After his discharge he worked for the highway department for a short time before moving to California where he was a firefighter for the Newark Fire Department in Newark for 28 years. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed cooking during retirement.

He is survived by daughters, Brenda Vait of Freemont, Annette Vait of Los Angeles, son, Benjamin Vait of Freemont, brothers & sisters, LeRoy
(Rosemary) Vait of Fairfax, Colette Franta of New Ulm, Marlene Herschman of Gibbon, Kathleen (Jim) Bratsch of Farmington, Mary (Ron) Dalueg of New Ulm, Joleen (Bob) Hoffmann, Gary (Marilyn) Vait, John Vait, all of Sleepy Eye, Deb (Bryon) Meyer of LeSeur, uncle and aunt, Rudolph & Shirley (Weisensel) Vait and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.