Francis W. Loomer, 96

 Francis W. Loomer, 96, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, at the Roosevelt County Medical Center in Culbertson of natural causes.

Francis was born on Sept. 5, 1914, in Fergus Falls, Minn., the son of Charles F. and Mary (Schramm) Loomer. He attended rural elementary school in Minnesota and high school in Grand Forks, N.D., and then graduated from high school in Fergus Falls where he played football on undefeated teams. He was selected first team for the All Central Conference.

Francis attended the University of North Dakota in 1933 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1937. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and received honors for his wrestling.

Francis Loomer married Esther Dumke in Fergus Falls in 1939. They raised two children, son Dr. Douglas Loomer, and daughter Mrs. Jill Herness.

After leaving college, Francis taught school at Sharon, N.D., Bowman, N.D., Chamberlain S.D., and Carlton, Minn., before joining the U.S. Navy in 1944.  He retired from the Navy in 1946 as a lieutenant.

Mr. Loomer began teaching in Glasgow in 1946 and retired in 1977, serving 21 years as the high school principal.

He was active in the Congregational Church, Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Patron. He also served as secretary-manager of the Valley County Fair for five years and taught classes for the Valley County Red Cross. He was a past president of the Kiwanis, was secretary of the Montana Association of School Administrators, was twice elected president of the Northeastern Montana Secondary Schools Principals, and was president of the Glasgow Teachers Association. He was instrumental in organizing the Retired Teachers Organization in Northeastern Montana.

He was a member of the Elks for 30 years and of the American Legion for 41 years.

Francis earned his master’s in physical education from the University of Minnesota and his master’s in administration from the University of Montana.  During his 31 years in the Glasgow School System he saw many changes, especially when the airbase opened north of Glasgow. Sixty teachers had to be released when the base closed. At its peak, 1,300 students occupied space actually built for 700. The famous “triple split shift” became necessary until the new school was built.

He traveled to all parts of the United States, western Canada, Alaska, Nova Scotia and Mexico. He enjoyed hunting, bowling, and golf, including heading the Golf Association while living in Mesa.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Walter, Ray, Merle, Iva, Hazel and Inez; and by a granddaughter, Jami Marie Herness.

Survivors include his wife, Esther Loomer, of Culbertson; his son, Dr. Douglas Loomer, and his wife, Suzanne Ostrem, of Bigfork; a daughter, Jill Herness, and her husband, Donald, of Culbertson; one granddaughter, Lindsey Kathleen Herness, of Culbertson; and a sister, Ida Mae Fabian, of Fergus Falls.

Services were held on Aug. 15 at the First Congregational Church in Glasgow, with the Rev. Susan Watterson officiating. Interment will be at 10 a.m. today, Aug. 16, at the Culbertson Cemetery in Culbertson.

Bell Mortuary in Glasgow is in charge of arrangements.