Mary “Francie” Strack, 85, Fort Wayne, passed away at 2 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015, at Coventry Meadows, Fort Wayne. Born Sept. 5, 1930, in Whitley County, she was the daughter of Marion Joseph and Mary Regina (Hinen) Harber.

She attended St. Paul’s Catholic Church School and graduated from Jefferson Center High School. On Sept. 22, 1951, she married Charles R. “Tony” Strack at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Arcola. She grew up on the family farm in Jefferson Township. The young couple moved for about ten years to a home on Raber Road before moving to the Strack Family Farm in 1962. Along with working all of her life on the family farm, Francie had worked at the Journal Gazette and News Sentinel, Classic Products in Fort Wayne and helped watch her grandchildren. A devout Catholic, Francie had been a member of St. Patrick’s since she was two and played the organ there for over 60 years.

Survivors include her children: Charles (Julie) Strack, Columbia City; Daniel (Sally) Strack, Fort Wayne; Theresa (Arthur) Lee, Fort Wayne; Pete (Penny) Strack, Churubusco; George (Annette Knipstein) Strack, Fort Wayne; Stephen (Dawn) Strack, Fort Wayne; 16 grandchildren; and 37 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband: Tony Strack; and brother: Joseph Harber; sister: Delores Harber; and two infant grandchildren.

Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, with a Rosary at 3:45 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at St. Patrick Church of Arcola, Fort Wayne with Father Tad Balinda and Father Cyril Fernandes officiating. Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association or towards Masses.