Monsignor Francis J. Fleming, A priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Proud native of St. Paul's old West Side. Entered peacefully into his long hoped for fullness of life on August 23, 2006. Preceded in death by his beloved parents, Francis and Josephine (Joy) Fleming; sisters, Lois Bachmeier and Josephine Koenigs; brothers, Fr. John, Leo and Thomas. Survived by sisters, Marie Fourre Russ and Rosemary (Pat) Williams Barry and brothers, Fr. Martin and Peter (Carole). Fr. Frank was ordained a priest in June 1942. He served as a Marine Corps Chaplain in the South Pacific WWII. From 1947-49 he studied in Rome receiving his Doctorate in Sacred Theology. Other assignments included Blessed Sacrament, St. Paul, St. Mary's, Bird Island, Holy Redeemer, Marshall, teaching at St. Thomas Academy and the then College of St. Thomas, returning to pastoral work at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Minnetonka; culminating in his 28 years as pastor of St. Olaf Catholic Church in downtown Minneapolis. Simultaneously, he was core to and immensely proud of his continuously expanding extended family and an ongoing joy to them all. He was a priest minister extraordinaire - selected by his fellow priests as recipient of the first annual Outstanding Alumnus of the St. Paul Seminary Award in 1995, as well as numerous other awards. His Ministry of the Word included the ever interesting, sometimes controversial, widely distributed St. Olaf Parish Bulletin, which he edited for 28 years. Frank could tell a "corny" joke and illicit uproarious laughter from whomever he was speaking to, without ever leaving far behind the reason for his words, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Monsignor Fleming spent his last years at Marion Center in St. Paul where he was lovingly cared for by the staff. His family is deeply grateful for the care he received from them, as well as the love he received from faithful relatives and friends. Monsignor Fleming's casketed body will be received into the Church of St. Olaf during a brief service at 3:30 PM Friday, August 25. This will be followed by a public visitation from 4:00-7:00 PM concluding with a vigil service and time of memory sharing at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the mass. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM Saturday, August 26 at the Church of St. Olaf, 8th St. & 2nd Ave South, Mpls. Private interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights.